Brook (?), n. [OE. brok, broke, brook, AS. broc; akin to D. broek, LG. brok, marshy ground, OHG. pruoh, G. bruch marsh; prob. fr. the root of E. break, so as that it signifies water breaking through the earth, a spring or brook, as well as a marsh. See Break, v. t.]
A natural stream of water smaller than a river or creek.
The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water.
Deut. viii. 7.
Empires itself, as doth an inland brook
Into the main of waters.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Brook, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brooked (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Brooking.] [OE. broken, bruken, to use, enjoy, digest, AS. brcan; akin to D. gebruiken to use, OHG. prhhan, G. brauchen, gebrauchen, Icel. brka, Goth. brkjan, and L. frui, to enjoy. Cf. Fruit, Broker.]
1.
To use; to enjoy.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
2.
To bear; to endure; to put up with; to tolerate; as, young men can not brook restraint.
Spenser.
Shall we, who could not brook one lord,
Crouch to the wicked ten?
Macaulay.
3.
To deserve; to earn.
[Obs.]
Sir J. Hawkins.
© Webster 1913.