In 5 broush, Sc. brwhs, 6 brous, 5–6 brusche. [? f. BRUSH v.1]
1. A forcible rush, a hostile collision or encounter; in later use, chiefly a short but smart encounter.
a. 1400. Alexander, 783. With slik a brout & a brusche [Dubl. MS. broush] þe bataill a-sembild.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xvi. 120. Than thai layid on dwyhs for dwyhs [= dush], Mony a rap and mony a brwhs.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 51. The lansis and grit speiris with [thair] force, Maid sic ane brusche vpone the bardit horss. Ibid., III. 186. The feildis baith togidder thair did june, With sic ane brous quhill mony speris brak.
a. 1600. Robin Hood (Ritson), II. xx. 31. His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. iii. 34. Tempt not yet the brushes of the warre.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1869), 312. Let us go and have t’ other Brush with them.
1829. Marryat, F. Mildmay, iv. I became a scientific pugilist, and now and then took a brush with an oldster.
1860. Kingsley, Misc., I. 18. A smart brush with the Spaniards.
b. Hence At a brush, at the first brush, † to stand brush.
a. 1400. Alexander, 2133 (Dubl. MS.). Þe folke of þe cite … barred bremely at a brush þe foure brod ȝates.
1756. R. Symmer, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 460, IV. 378. The French will not carry the place at a brush.
1795. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Pindariana, Wks. 1812, IV. 73. Love will stand brush against all wind and weather.
2. fig. Cf. ‘rub.’
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., V. iii. 3. Salsbury … who in rage forgets Aged contusions, and all brush of Time.
1676. Hale, Contempl., I. (1689), 161. Though an humble man may upon the very score of his humility and meekness, receive a brush in the world.
1800. Wellington, Lett., in Gurw., Disp., I. 121. I have given them a brush through Colonel Pater, and have informed him that the system has not been hitherto approved.
3. ? A slight attack of illness. (Cf. BRASH.)
1733. Swift’s Corr., II. 717. I [Dr. Sheridan] hope nothing ails her but a brush.
