An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

Isl. and Sw. broeder, brethren.

BRETS, s. pl. The name given to the Welch or ancient Britons, in general; also, to those of Strat-clyde, as distinguished from the Scots and Picts.
Lord Hailes.

Wyntown uses Brettys as the pl.

A. S. Brettas, Britones; Bryt, Brito, Britannus.

BRETTYS, s. A fortification.
Wyntown.

L. B. breteschia, briteschia. It properly denotes wooden towers or castles: Bretachiae, castella lignea, quibus castra et oppida muniebantur, Gallis Bretesque, breteches; Du Cange. Perhaps radically allied to Su. G, bryt-a, to contend, to make war.

To BREVE, v. a. To write.
V. [Breif].

BREW, s. Broth, soup.
V. [Bree].

BREW-CREESH, s. A term expressive of a duty paid to a landholder or superior, which occurs in old law-deeds. It is still used, Aberd. Sometimes it is called Brew-tallow.

BRIBOUR, BRYBOUR, s. A low beggarly fellow.
Bannatyne Poems.