braird (braird) - n., (Scot.) the first sprouts or shoots of grass, corn, or other crops; new growth. v., to sprout, appear above the ground.
Attested since the 15th century, from late Middle English breird, variant of brerd, a sprout, to sprout, from Old English brerd, edge, top (and so cognate of brad). A nicely poetic word for that first greening -- "the hare likes the brake, and the braird on the lea" as a ballad puts it.
---L.
Attested since the 15th century, from late Middle English breird, variant of brerd, a sprout, to sprout, from Old English brerd, edge, top (and so cognate of brad). A nicely poetic word for that first greening -- "the hare likes the brake, and the braird on the lea" as a ballad puts it.
---L.