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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Brod, n.¹ [e.m.E. and ME. (northern) brod, early brodd, ON. brodd-r (OE. brord).]

1. A pointed instrument; a prick or goad. Also in fig. phrase. a1400 Leg. S. ii. 543.
It is … hard to thé Agane the brod thé for to prese c1420 Wynt. vi. 1409.
Gyue a man wald in thame thryst A scharpe brode, … Swa sloknyd mycht thai lychtis be c1520-c1535 Nisbet 1 Cor. xv. 55.
Deid, quhare is thi brodde? Bot the brodde (or prick) of deid is synn 1549 Compl. 148/33.
The palme tre hes schearp broddis and pikis a1598 Ferg. Prov. 64.
It is hard to fling at the brod, or kick at the prick

b. fig. A stimulus, strong influence. a1400 Leg. S. xli. 370.
The wikit gaste Fandit hyme … Vith the brodis of lichery 1513 Doug. vi. ii. 47.
Apollo hir refrenys … From hir hart pipis his fers brod withdrawing 1531 Bell. Boece II. 122.
Be impacience of ire and lust, quhilkis ar two maist sorrowful broddis amang wemen 1533 Bell. Livy II. 43/24.
The ȝoung men … quhilkis afore war ay ane scharpe … brod aganis the rasing of ony armyis 1535 Stewart 26405.
Quhilk … in thair conscience wes ane stang and brode, For to tak pairt with ennemeis of God

2. A prod or prick with a goad. c1420 Wynt. i. 1616.
He gert bestis vndyr ȝok Thoil broddis sare and mony knok 1549 Compl. 28/21.
Ane ox that repungnis the brod of his hird, he gettis doubil broddis