Also 8 browny. [denominative f. BROWN, with somewhat of diminutive force: cf. the ON. svartálfar or dark elves of the Edda. A ‘wee brown man’ often appears in Scottish ballads and fairy tales.] A benevolent spirit or goblin, of shaggy appearance, supposed to haunt old houses, esp. farmhouses, in Scotland, and sometimes to perform useful household work while the family were asleep.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. Prol. 18. All is bot gaistis and elriche fantasies, Of browneis and of bogillis full this buke.
1703. M. Martin, Descr. W. Isl. (1716), 391. It is not long since every Family of any considerable Substance in those Islands [Shetland], was haunted by a Spirit they called Browny, which did several sorts of Work.
1802. Scott, Minstr. Bord., Introd. (1803), p. c. The Brownie formed a class of beings, distinct in habit and disposition from the freakish and mischievous elves.
1847. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, III. xi. 282 (D.). You talk of my being a fairy; but I am sure you are more like a brownie.
