(a) A stream; esp., a small stream, a brook; (b) brokes brim (heved, mouth), the bank (source, mouth) of a stream; (c) fig. a stream of blood; the fires of hell; (d) current of the sea.

In cpds. and combs. (including names): ~ bank, bank of a brook; ~ levis, ?the European brooklime, ?leaves of this plant; ~ lond, meadow or marsh land; ~ man, one who lives near a brook; ?also = ~ ward; ~ mint, water mint (Mentha aquatica); ?also, horse mint (M. sylvestris); ~ moderwort, the European brooklime; ~ side, the ground along a brook; ~ ward, one who is in charge of the meadows or marsh land along a small stream.

(a) As an element in place names [see Smith PNElem. 51-2]; (b) as an element in personal names.