Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 1 bune, 4 bon(e, 5–6 bunne, 6– bun; see also BOON sb.2 [OE. bune, origin unknown.]
1. A hollow stem, esp. of an umbelliferous plant; a kex.
a. 1000. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 198. Canna, harundo, calamus, bune.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 277. Kyx or bunne or dry weed.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 70. The … lowe places, and all the holowe bunnes and pypes that grow therin.
1875. Whitby Gloss., Buns, or Bunnons, the hollow stems of the hog-weed or cow-parsnep.
2. The stalk or stalky part of flax or hemp.
1388. [see BOON sb.2].
c. 1400. Arderne, Chirurgica, in MS. Sloane 56 f. 3 a, Chanyuot, bunes.
1601. Holland, Pliny, XIX. i. The spinning of this fine Flax … what shall be done with all the hard refuse, the long buns?
1704. Worlidge, Dict. Rust. et Urb., s.v. Drying, The dry Bun or kexe of the Hempe or Flax.
1877. Peacock, N. W. Lincoln. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Bun … The stalk of flax or hemp.
3. Comb., as † bun-wand. Obs. Sc. = 1.
1588. A. Hume, Trium. of the Lord. Thair speirs lyk bunwands brak.
a. 1605. Montgomerie, Flyting, 276. Some buckled on a bunwand, and some on a been.
