Obs. exc. dial. Forms: α. 4, 7, 9 strom, 7 stroam(e, 8 strawm, 8–9 stroom. β. 5 strumme, 8–9 strum. γ. 9 strung, strun. [Of obscure origin.]
1. Brewing. An oblong basket of wicker work placed over the bung-hole within the mash-tub to prevent the grains and hops passing through when the liquor is drawn off.
1394–5. in Cartul. Abb. Whiteby (Surtees), 606. It. pro strom pro le brewhous, iiii d.
1483. Cath. Angl., 369/2. A Strumme, qualus, statrum.
1625. Markham, Eng. Housew., V. 121. Pluck vp your mashing stroame, and let the first liquour runne gently from the mault.
1674. Ray, N. C. Words, 47. A Strom: the instrument to keep the malt in the Fat.
1796. W. H. Marshall, Yorksh. (ed. 2), II. 348. Strum; the hose used in brewing &c. to keep the tap free.
1854. Miss Baker, Northampt. Gloss., Stroom, a wicker malt-strainer, used in brewing.
1865. W. S. Banks, Wakefield Words, Strum or Strun.
1866. Brogden, Prov. Lincs., Strung.
2. Mining. A kind of iron sieve placed round the suction-pipe of a pump to prevent obstruction.
1849. Greenwell, Coal-trade Terms Northumb. & Durham (1851), 53. Strum.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 245. Strum.
1887. Times, 9 April, 4/1. Some refuse … choking up the strum of the pipes leading to the pumps.
