brusle
verb/ˈbɹʌsəl/
Etymology From Middle English brustel, bristel.
1
Obsolete To cause (something) to bristle or stand erect.
Often with up (brusle up)
- […] for queſtionleſſe ſhe fayneth herſelfe to bee diſtracted for no other ende, but to enioy eaſie and good daies, who in this point diſcouereth herſelfe; for ſometimes ſhee will goe into the hen-loft, and get her into the corner where the hen ſittes, crying, co co co, to ſhew like an hen that ſhe hath layd an egge; but if any goe to take it vp, ſhe cryeth no more after that manner, bruſling her feathers , or cackling like an hen; […]1600, Tommaso Garzoni, “A diſcourſe of the Author, […]”, in The Hospitall of Incvrable Fooles: […], […] Edm. Bollifant, for Edward Blount, page 150:
- In the interim, Ruthwen conſults with the Earle Gowrie his brother, and according to the Latine ° proverbe , the aſpe ſuckes poyſon from the viper, wherewith he ſwelleth , and bruſling up himſelfe, flies at his Majeſtie the ſecond time to ſting him to death , and wrapping about him , begins to bind his royall hands; […]1636, Daniel Featley, “The Traitors Guerdon. […]”, in Clavis Mystica: A Key Opening Divers Difficult and Mysterious Texts of Holy Scripture, […], London: […] R. r. for Nicolas Bourne, […], page 65:
2 more examples
- But when the Sun behind th' opacous Globe Suffer'd Ecclipſe,Cold, pierc'd her ſlender Robe ; At which ſhe waking, bruſles up her Tail, Then lighting pearch'd upon the neighbouring Pale ; […]1665, John Ogilby, “Of the ſame Camel and Fly” (chapter XXV), in The Fables of Æsop […], London: […] Thomas Roycroft […], page 63:
- Abour Cazan and Aſtracan there is a little Bird about the bigneſs of Woodcock, his legs and bill not unlike a Snipe, but the feathers and neck like Cock of the Game, being cut and trimm'd they fight like Cocks, ſparring at one another, and yet they have no ſpurs. They are in continual war [if] kept in the houſe, and will lie on their guards with their bills on the ground and at firſt advantage run a tilt with their ſingle Rapiers, as violently as any Duelliſt , bruſling up their neck-feathers(a guiſſa di gallo) […]1671, Samuel Collihns, chapter XVIII, in The Preſent State of Russia in a Letter to a Friend in London; […], […] John Winter for Dorman Newman […], pages 84-85:
2
Obsolete To bristle; to brustle; to react with fierceness, fear, suspicion, distance, or defiance.
- For however the feebleneſſe and paucity of leſſer Sects and Factions in Religion in ſome places, their mutuall Diviſions and inteſtine Quarrels in others (being like the Birds called Ruffs, ever bruſling and pecking againſt each other) may make them ſeem at preſent not ſo dangerous or pernicious, […]1659, John Gauden, chapter XXIX, in The Tears,Sighs,Complaints, and Prayers of the Church of England: […], London: […] J. G. for R. Royston, […], page 370: