brewis

American  

[broo-is, brooz] / ˈbru ɪs, bruz /

noun

Newfoundland.

1. hard bread soaked in water and then boiled.

2. such bread, with pieces of fish added, served as a meal.

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brewis British  

/ ˈbruːɪs, ˈbrɛvɪs /

noun

1. bread soaked in broth, gravy, etc

2. thickened broth

3. a Newfoundland stew of cod or pork, hardtack, and potatoes

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Etymology

Origin of brewis

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier brewz, brewes, apparently blend of bree “broth, juice” ( Middle English bre, unattested Old English brēo, variant of brīw; cf. brei) and browes, Middle English broys “broth, soup,” Old French broez (nominative), broet (accusative), equivalent to bro (from Old High German brod broth ) + -et -et

Example Sentences

I hated to suggest it to her, but I have a lurking suspicion that the catastrophe had some not too distant connection with the "brewis."

From Le Petit Nord or, Annals of a Labrador Harbour by Grenfell, Wilfred Thomason, Sir

Then—that Monday morning—we had brewis to make, a little buttered toast to do, and some eggs to scramble.

From We Girls: a Home Story by Whitney, A. D. T. (Adeline Dutton Train)

Some seem to have no need of the plural; as, ambergris, aqua-fortis, arthritis, brewis, crasis, elephantiasis, genesis, orris, siriasis, tennis.

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold

“An they’re at table, lad, with fish an’ brewis sot out, I’m sure t’ cotch the maid within.”

From The Cruise of the Shining Light by Duncan, Norman

Nokka brewis goo, honowin nudwag moonoo shugh kawmun menjeis.

From The Wit of Women Fourth Edition by Sanborn, Kate