sb. pl. Sc. [The same as BRAIRD, in sense of ‘short ends or points.’] ‘The short flax recovered from the first tow by a second hackling’ (Jamieson). Cf. backings.
1733. P. Lindsay, Interest Scot., 161. Dressing and stapling the Lint … into fine drest Flax, fine drest Tow, common Tow, Backings, and Breards.
1804. Edin. Even. Courant, 1 Sept. (Jam.). White and blue breards, fit for spinning yarn.
