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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.

Broch(e, Brotch(e, n. Also: broich, broach; broitche. [e.m.E. broch(e, brotche, broach, ME. broche, OF. broche. See also Bruche n.]

1. a. A pointed rod of metal. 1456 Hay I. 64/6.
The traytouris … had ordanyt ilk ane of thame ane broche of stele of gude lenth put doun on lang his hos 1513 Doug. xii. ii. 126.
Ȝallow hair … Yplet ilk nycht on the warm broch of steill

b. A roasting spit; a broach. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 80.
Ane duergh braydit about … Small birdis on broche be ane bright fyre

c. A wooden pin on which thread is wound. 1513 Doug. vii. viii. 59.
Nothir rok of tre, Ne spyndill … , nor brochis of Mynerve Ib. ix. viii. 36.
The spynnyng quheil … , The ȝarn clewis, spyndill, and broche of tre

2. A brooch; a buckle. (Cf. Bruche n.)In the first two examples the original form may have been bruche.(a) a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 589.
Thou hes baith broche and belt Quhilk Troylus gave me a1570-86 Kennedy Maitl. F. cxxxi. 18.
Brochis, tablettis, robbis and ryngis 1533 Bell. Livy I. 33/27.
Vtheris allegis that the Sabinis had goldin brochis of grete wecht apoun thare left arme c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 124.
Belt and brochis of siluer fyne a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxxiv. 49.
Thair beltis, thair brochis, and thair ringis Makis biggingis bair at hame 1592 Edinb. Test. XXIV. 189.
Ane ring of gold with ane broche 1596 Dalr. I. 94/10.
Bracelets about their armes, … broches hinging at thair halse 1615 Reg. Great S. 480/1.
Reddend … unum burile lie broich auri ponderis lie Harie-nobill, nomine albe firme 1605 Edinb. Test. XL. 35.
Four broches of four sindrie beltis with kurpis conforme 1662 Highland P. III. 9.
She takes a broch, and layes upon the herbe, and plucks up the samin throw the broch(b) 1585 Coll. Ayr & W. VI. 236.
Ane silver brotche 1591 Fam. Rose 281.
My siluer broitche 1599 Reg. Great S. 272/1.
Reddendo … unum burile lie brotch 1612 Bk. Rates 292.
Brotches of latten or copper 1640 4th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 512/2.
Ane fair silver brotch sett with precious stones

3. On broche, opened with a tap. 1557–8 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 270.
xx quartis of wyne til be run on broche upone the said Croce a1568 Scott ii. 44.
The wyne on broich it ran Ib. 104.
Thair wes baith wyne and venisoun, And barrellis ran on broche