Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BROOK, Bruk, n.² “A deep layer of seaweed cast ashore by stormy weather” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.). Often found in phrs. brook of ware (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), war brook, brook o' war (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 67). Also occas. used fig. of a multitude or crowd, cf. break, s.v. Brak, n., 12. [bru(:)k (Jak.)]Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A b[ruk] o' fok.Ork. 1771 P. Fea MS. Diary (April): 
A good Brooke of Ware att Sparigoe.n.Sc. 1895 D. J. Robertson in Longman's Mag. (Nov.) 33:
The crofter . . . has secured a good stack of “tangles” in winter, and a big share in a “brook of ware” . . . The “brook” — as he calls a drift of weed — if not secured at once, may be carried out to sea again.