Middle English Dictionary Entry
braunchē̆r n.
Entry Info
| Forms | braunchē̆r n. |
| Etymology | OF (esprevier) branchier. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The young of a goshawk or sparrowhawk when able to fly from tree to tree; (b) a young bird (baked in pastry); ?a squab.
Associated quotations
a
- a1475 Hrl.Bk.Hawking (Hrl 2340:Halliwell)293 : Goshaukes and sperhaukes..when they..clambre over bowes..beth clepid bowers; and after the feste of seint Margarete they woll fle fro tre to tre, and then they beth callyd branchers.
- a1475 Hrl.Bk.Hawking (Hrl 2340:Halliwell)298 : For to draw an hawke fro here neste, and how he schal be fedde and made better then a braunchere in hardenesse.
b
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)190 : Braunchers in brede bettyr was neuer.