Dictionary entry

Brawl

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Brawl (�), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Brawled (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Brawling.] [OE. braulen to quarrel, boast, brallen to cry, make a noise; cf. LG. brallen to brag, MHG. prulen, G. prahlen, F. brailler to cry, shout, Pr. brailar, braillar, W. bragal to vociferate, brag, Armor. bragal to romp, to strut, W. broliaw to brag, brawl boast. �95.] 1. To quarrel noisily and outrageously.

Let a man that is a man consider that he is a fool that brawleth openly with his wife.

Golden Boke.

2. To complain loudly; to scold.

3. To make a loud confused noise, as the water of a rapid stream running over stones.

Where the brook brawls along the painful road.

Wordsworth.

Syn. — To wrangle; squabble; contend.