Middle English Dictionary Entry
brache n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | brache n.(1) Also brasche. |
| Etymology | Back formation from OF brachez, pl. of brachet. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. brachet.
1.
(a) A hunting dog; esp., a kind of small scenting hound; (b) ?a bitch; ?a lapdog.
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1142 : Þise cacheres..cowpled hor houndez..Braches bayed..& breme noyse maked.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1610 : Fyrst he..Braydez out þe boweles, brennez hom on glede, With bred blent þer-with his braches rewardez.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)13573 : Thei go & hunte with her grehoundes, With hauke, brache, & with kenetes.
- a1450 ?Audelay An a byrchyn bonke (Dc 302)17 : Þai blewyn here bewgulys ful breme, hore brachus to bild.
- (1467) Acc.Howard in RC 57558 : A ȝonge [brage] brasche of halfe ȝere holde, kaled Kowentes.
- ?c1475 *Cath.Angl.(Add 15562)17b : A brache [Monson: Brachett]: odorensicus vel ordorinsequus.
b
- (c1410) York MGame (Vsp B.12)14 : Houndes folowyn after a biche or a brach.