Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BROONIE, n.2 “Liquid or ‘wort' drawn off malt in brewing. Prob. a good deal of superstition lingered about the word; to have spoken of ‘water' might have ruined the ale” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[O.N. brunnr, a spring or well (Zoëga), O.E. burna, brunna, a stream or brook (Sweet), Norw. brunn, a water pit (Torp), Ger. brunnen, spring, well. Cf. Brin, n.1, brinny water (s.v.), and Burn, n., 2, water used in brewing, then the brew itself.]
