Middle English Dictionary Entry
brusk n.
Entry Info
| Forms | brusk n. Also bruskus. |
| Etymology | ML bruscus |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A plant; ?butcher's broom Ruscus aculeatus.
Associated quotations
- (?a1390) Daniel *Herbal (Add 27329)f.37va : Brusk groweth o stalk allone, ny þe hegth of arthemesie, foure-flegged stalke & no redhede.
- [ a1400 Mirfeld Sinonoma (Pmb-O 2)13 : Bruscus, frutex est: licheholm. ]
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)45b/a : Take..of brusk [L brusci], of sperage, [etc.].
- c1440 Thrn.Med.Bk.(Thrn)66/19 : Rotes of fenkalle, rotes of percell, rutes of brusk..tak halfe a handfull.
- a1500 Platearius CInstans (Cmb Ee.1.13)3/19 : In þe dedkokcioun of þe rote of fenell and of merche & of percile & of bruskus and of speragus, put .ii. dragme .. of aloes, & of hony .i. dragme .. & herof yef hym to drynke tweyys .. in þe woke.