Etymology Map
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Bruin

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a name for a bear

Where does the word "bruin" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch bruun, adopted directly into English (1480s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
bruun
Middle Dutch · medieval
"brown"
'brown', the name of the bear in the tale of Reynard the Fox
2
Stage 2 of 2
Bruin
English · 1480s
"Bruin (a bear)"
William Caxton's 1481 translation of 'Reynard the Fox' from Dutch brought the bear's name into English
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Read the full story

Bruin’s story begins in Middle Dutch: bruun meant “brown.” 'brown', the name of the bear in the tale of Reynard the Fox. It reached English by 1480s as Bruin. William Caxton's 1481 translation of 'Reynard the Fox' from Dutch brought the bear's name into English. Today, bruin means a name for a bear.