DCHP-2

brush ((n.)) [< OF brosse] DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 n.

  low-growing trees and shrubs; undergrowth.

  See also: brushwood (def. 1)  

  • 1800  (1897)  The country . . . is much overgrown with thick brush, poplars, and willows.
  • 1965  . . . Steel Co. of Canada has awarded a contract for brush clearing on the route of a proposed railway branch. . . .

• 2 † n.

  lopped-off branches, especially evergreen boughs.

  See also: brushwood (def. 2)  

  • 1791  (1934)  Found . . . 1 Brush hut with one family in it when I arrived.
  • 1863  . . . when we have a big fire built in front, and a lot of hemlock brush to lie on, we shall be pretty comfortable.
  • 1949  [They] covered with a shelter of wood and brush. . . .

• 3 † n.

  the woods; the forest or backcountry; the bush.

  See also: brushwood (def. 3)  

  • 1900  I was ready enough to quit all claims and take to the brush myself. . . .
  • 1953  It's good level yarding out there in the brush. . . .