Middle English Dictionary Entry
pusk n.
Entry Info
| Forms | pusk n. Also (Latinate) pusca. |
| Etymology | ML pusca; cp. CL posca. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A mixture of water and vinegar or wine.
Associated quotations
- c1400 Daniel *Herbal (Arun 42)f.43v : Dragaunce .., [the herb] Basilisca .. euery day et his rote rosted & drynk 10 or 13 of his greynes with pusc [Macer (Choulant 1745): cum pusca] & it doþ [?read: fordoþ] dymhed of syȝt & makeþ it cler ageyne nerhand as euere it was.
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)4.526 : To kepe, ypuld not melowy but grene Wold be..Suspence in rewle, hem kepe with pusk [L posca] condite, Ypuld in myddis of a day serene.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)103 : Þis herbe wole destroie eny venym, if she or here decoccion be drunke with pusca.
- ?a1450 Macer (Stockh Med.10.91)180 : Pusca is whos ii partyes ben water and þe þrydde part vynegre or strong wyn..Comyn drunkyn with pusca wole staunche women floures.