brach

brachet (ˈbrætʃɪt)

noun

archaic a bitch hound

Word Origin for brach

C14: back formation from brachez hunting dogs, from Old French, plural of brachet, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German braccho hound

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Examples from the Web for brach

Historical Examples of brach

In France there are several varieties or sub-breeds of brach hounds.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 803, May 23, 1891
Various
When the brach started this from its lair, he shot it with his bow, in which he had placed a full sharp arrow.
The Nibelungenlied
Unknown
The brach was loosed, the bear sprang hence; Kriemhild's husband would fain overtake him.
The Nibelungenlied
Unknown
Braccio, brach′yo, n. an Italian measure of length, varying from half a yard to a yard:—pl.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)
Various
In 1611 a Dutch merchantman (the “Brach”) reached Hirado with a cargo of pepper, cloth, ivory, silk and lead.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 2
Various

Word Origin and History for brach

"bitch hound" (archaic), mid-14c., brache, originally "hound that hunts by scent," from Old French braches "hound, hunting dog," brachez, plural of brachet, of West Germanic origin (cf. Middle Dutch brache, Old High German braccho "hound, setter"), from PIE *bhrag- "to smell" (cf. Middle High German bræhen "to smell," Latin fragrare "to smell sweetly"). Italian bracco is a Germanic loan word.