Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRIN, n.1 “A brook or rivulet, one in Unst called “Yellia Brin” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).
Hence brinny water, brinna water, “the water that is poured on ‘sowans' — to keep it fresh; of course this was clean drinking water” (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Cf. use of burn water in ne.Sc. in brewing, see Burn, n., 2.
[O.N. brunnr, a spring, a well (cf. Ger. brunnen, idem), through a mutated form seen in brynna, to water (cattle).]
