▪ I. brancher1
(ˈbrɑːnʃə(r), -æ-)
[f. branch v. + -er1.]
That which bears or puts forth branches.
| 1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey i. ii. 43 The thin brauncher [vine] needs a battle soyle to enlarge the Dilation. 1651 Reliq. Wotton. (1685) 77 If their Child be not such a speedy spreader and brancher, like the Vine. |
▪ II. ˈbrancher2
Also 5 brauncher, brawncher.
[a. AF. *brancher = F. branchier, f. branche branch.]
A young hawk (or other bird) when it first leaves the nest and hops about the branches.
| ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 190 Þareby braunchers in brede bettyr was never. 1486 Bk. St. Albans ij b, After saynt Margaretis day..they bene calde Brawncheris. 1575 Turberv. Bk. Falconrie 69 The brancher is she that followeth the old hawke from braunch to braunch. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Canary Bird, Those of the first year..are term'd Branchers. 1808 Jamieson, Branchers, young crows, after leaving the nest, and betaking themselves to the boughs or branches. Teviotd. 1873 Daily News 19 July 5/7 We have a cage with a ‘brancher’ (a young linnet). |
b. fig. A young child.
| 1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle xvi. 389 My home..with all my pretty little tender branchers hopping about me. |