The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bundesrath \Bun"des*rath`\ (b[oo^]n"d[e^]s*r[aum]t`), n. [G.,
   from bund (akin to E. bond) confederacy + rath council, prob.
   akin to E. read.]
   Lit., a federal council, esp. of the German Empire. In the
   German Empire the legislative functions are vested in the
   Bundesrath and the Reichstag. The federal council of
   Switzerland is also so called.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   Note: The Bundesrath of the German empire is presided over by
         a chancellor, and is composed of sixty-two members, who
         represent the different states of the empire, being
         appointed for each session by their respective
         governments.
         [1913 Webster]

               By this united congress, the highest tribunal of
               Switzerland, -- the Bundesrath -- is chosen, and
               the head of this is a president.   --J. P. Peters
                                                  (Trans.
                                                  M["u]ller's
                                                  Pol. Hist.).
         [1913 Webster]