snow-broth
Also Sc. snaw-broo, -bru.
[f. snow n.1]
Melted snow; water produced or obtained by the melting of snow, esp. from natural causes.
| α 1600 Holland Livy xxi. xxxvi. 413 They were faine to go upon the bare yce underneath, and in the slabberie snow-broth. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. i. iv. 58 A man, whose blood Is very snow-broth. 1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade-m. viii. §2 (1689) 89 In cold, frosty or snowy Weather or where store of Snow-broth is in the River. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Snow-broth, Snow-water. 1845 Judd Margaret i. vi, This is none of your snow-broth,..it's warming. 1862 C. C. Robinson Dial. Leeds 416 Snow-broth,..snow melted in a vessel is so called. 1888 Pall Mall G. 7 Apr. 5/1 The bitter east winds of March,..and the almost certain ‘snow-broth’ in the water. |
| β 1787 Burns Brigs of Ayr 120 In mony a torrent down the snaw-broo rowes. 1803 Prize Ess. Highl. Soc. II. 400 Until the melted snow (snaw bru) is out of the water. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 21 Jan. 7/2 Fishing will almost certainly be temporarily stopped on account of the ‘snaw-broo’. |