[app. a. MDu. busse, (mod.Du. bus) BOX, bush of a wheel; cf. G. büchse, radbüchse, Sw. hjul-bössa ‘wheel-bush.’ Cf., for the form, early forms of BLUNDERBUSS, HARQUEBUS, in -bush. As to connection with BOUCHE, see BUSH v.3]
1. The metal lining of the axle-hole of a wheel; hence, the metal (or wooden) case in which the journal of a shaft revolves. (Cf. BOX sb.2 16.) b. A cylindrical metal lining of an orifice; a perforated plug, cylinder or disk; esp. a drilled plug inserted in the touch-hole of a gun, or in a bearing of a watch when worn (cf. BOUCHE).
1566. in Collect. Invent. (1815), 169. Item, fyve buscheis of found for cannonis and batterd quheillis. Ibid. (1578), 250. Garnist with yron werk and bousches of fonte.
1625. Invent., in Shropshire Word-bk. (E.D.S.). One paire of bushes … one paire of bushes soles.
1688. R. Holme, Acad. Armory, III. viii. 332. The Busshes are Irons within the hole of the Nave to keep it from wearing.
1770. J. Ferguson, Lect. (1805), I. 82. The upper part of the spindle turns in a wooden bush fixt into the nether millstone.
1797. A. Cumming, Commun. Board of Agric., II. 365. The nave is commonly lined with metal, which lining is called the box or bush.
1865. Ld. Elcho, in Times, 10 March, 8/3. What are ordinarily known as front aperture sights, i. e., solid discs or bushes pierced in the centre.
1884. F. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 95. The hole is tapped at one end to receive a bush.
2. Comb. bush-metal, an alloy of copper and tin used for journals.
