Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BREEM, Breme, Brim, Brum, v., n.2, adj. [brim, brɪm, brɛm, brʌm]
1. v. “Applied to the female of a swine, when she desires the male” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2); “used of a cat and also of a whale” (Ork. 1929 Marw., brim); “to burn with desire” (w.Dmf. 1899 J. Shaw Country Schoolmaster 344). Known to Fif.10 1935. Brim is now obs. or very rare in St.Eng.
Hence (a-)breemin(g), -breming, -brimmin', brummin, “applied to a sow when in season, or desirous of the boar” (Fif., Border 1825 Jam.2, brummin; Rxb. Ib., breeein, a-breeming; 1923 Watson W.-B.). Known also to Kcb.9 1935, a-brimmin'.Rxb. 1801 J. Leyden Compl. Scot., Gl. 315:
The rankest poison in the world is the broth of a brode sow, a-breming.
2. n. A state of heat.Dmf. [1777] J. Mayne Siller Gun (1836) 49:
Disporting in the sunny beam, When gentler mates are in a breem, Some seek the shade, and some the stream, And banquet there.
3. adj. Of a sow: in season. s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 270:
He was killed by drinking the kail made o' a breme sow.
