busk

Meanings

Noun

• A strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other material, worn in the front of a corset to stiffen it.
• A corset.
• A kind of linen.

Verb

• To prepare; to make ready; to array; to dress.
• To go; to direct one's course.
• To solicit money by entertaining the public in the street or in public transport.
• To sell articles such as obscene books in public houses etc.
• To tack, cruise about.

Origin

• Borrowed from French busc, by dissimilation (from buste) from Italian busto. bust.
• Etymology unknown
• From Middle English busken, from Old Norse búask
• Apparently from French busquer or Spanish buscar.