Obs. Forms: 16 brim, 14 brym, 4 brymme. [OE. brim surf, (poet.) the sea = ON. brim surf, sea; prob. f. the stem brem- roar, rage: see BRIM v.1 It became obs. in ME.; but was perhaps used by Spenser.] An old poetical word for the sea; also, flood, water.
Beowulf, 847 (Gr.). Wæs on blode brim weallende.
c. 937. Battle Brunanburh, in O. E. Chron. Siþþan eastan hider Engle and Sexe up becomon ofer brade brimu Brytene sohtan.
c. 1000. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 177. Æquor, brym, sæ.
c. 1290. Land Cokaygne, 156, in E. E. P. (1862), 160. Hi lepith dune in-to the brimme, And doth ham sleilich for to swimme.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 2172. A balȝ berȝ bi a bonke þe brymme [? sea or shore] bysyde.
a. 1400. Leg. Rood (1871), 125. In middes þe brig was ouer þe brim.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. ix. 35. The bright sunne, what time his fierie teme Towards the westerne brim [perh. = edge, horizon] begins to draw.