Printing. [f. BRAY v.2 + -ER1.] A wooden muller or pestle used to rub down and temper the ink.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. iii. 56. Brayer, is a round wooden Rubber, flat at the bottom, it is used in the Inke-block to Bray and Rub Inke.
1824. J. Johnson, Typogr., II. 524. He brings forward a small quantity of ink … which he rubs well with the brayer.
Hence Brayer v. trans. To spread or rub fine.
1824. J. Johnson, Typogr., II. 524. Care should be observed not to brayer out much [ink] at a time.
