_Brach._ "A mannerly name for all hound-bitches" (Gentleman's Recreation, p. 27). "A _brache_ or _biche_, canicula, petite chienne," Baret, Dict. This seems to be its meaning everywhere in Shakespeare, except perhaps Lear, iii. 6, and everywhere else that it occurs. Jonson and Massinger use it, as _bitch_ is still used by the vulgar, of a low common woman. Its substitution for that term may have been caused by the similarity of sound. _Braque_, Fr. (_bracco_ It.), is a setting-dog; and in the work just quoted we are told the Scotch called a dog that ran by scent _rache_, "the female thereof in England is called a _brache_." The Icelandic name of this dog at the present day is _rakkr_. "Here is a leysche of _ratches_ for to run a hare" (Skelton, Interl. of Mag.). Golding (Ov. Met. p. 33) uses _brach_ and _bitch_ as synonymous and of hounds. A _lady-brach_ (Lear, i. 4, 1 Hen. IV. iii. 1?) seems to have been what we now call a parlour-dog; females being preferred, probably on account of their greater gentleness. The above derivation of _brach_ is, however, not quite satisfactory. _Break across_ (As Y. L. iii. 4), used of a spear, in tilting, when in the charge its handle was broken by the awkwardness of the tilter. The mode of doing it, however, is not easy to conceive. Perhaps _break_ was not used in its usual sense. _Break up_, carve. It is used (L. L. L. iv. 1) of a love-letter, called in French _poulet_. _Breast_ (Tw. N. ii. 3), voice--containing for contained. _Bribed buck_ (M. W. v. 5), "a buck _cut up_ to be given away in portions. In O. Fr. _bribes_ were portions of meat which were given away." So Singer explains it; but I rather suspect it may be a _stolen_ buck. See Richardson, _v._ Bribe. _Breathe in watering_ (1 H. IV. ii. 4), to take breath while drinking. It seems to be taken from horses. "We also do enact That all hold up their hands, and laugh aloud, Drink much at one draught, _breathe not in their drink_." Old Play of Timon, ii. 5. _Brief_, letter, short writing of any kind, even a verbal promise, contract, or agreement (All's Well, ii. 3). It may be an adj., with an ellipsis of the subst. _Brown paper_ (M. for M. iv. 3). This was one of the useless commodities which usurers compelled unlucky borrowers to take in lieu of ready money. Rosini, in his Monaca di Monza, notices it in Italy in the 16th century; Molière, in L'Avare, in France; and it has continued in England down to present times. _Bucklers._ "Give the bucklers" (M. Ado, v. 2) seems to be a term taken from prize-fighting, signifying to yield, give up. It is supposed that the bucklers were the prize; but that is not likely. There may be a use of the plur. for the sing., and the phrase may merely mean lay the buckler down or aside in token of defeat. _Budge_ (_bouger_, Fr). In Cor. i. 6 and elsewhere it means to give back, retire.