What does "bundesrath" mean?

Bundesrath: The federal council of the German Empire. In the Bundesrath and the Reichstag are vested the legislative functions. The federal council of Switzerland is also so called. 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. 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. Müller's Pol. Hist. ).