Also 5 brauncher, brawncher. [a. AF. *brancher = F. branchier, f. branche BRANCH.] A young hawk (or other bird) when it first leaves the nest and hops about the branches.

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a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 190. Þareby braunchers in brede bettyr was never.

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1486.  Bk. St. Albans, ij b. After saynt Margaretis day … thay bene calde Brawncheris.

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1575.  Turberv., Bk. Falconrie, 69. The brancher is she that followeth the old hawke from braunch to braunch.

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1727.  Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v., Canary Bird, Those of the first year … are term’d Branchers.

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1808.  Jamieson, Branchers, young crows, after leaving the nest, and betaking themselves to the boughs or branches. Teviotd.

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1873.  Daily News, 19 July, 5/7. We have a cage with a ‘brancher’ (a young linnet).

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  b.  fig. A young child.

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1833.  M. Scott, Tom Cringle, xvi. 389. My home … with all my pretty little tender branchers hopping about me.

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