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brown-bill

noun
/ˈbɹaʊnbɪl/

Etymology

From brown + bill; see bill (“polearm”).

  1. derived from bulla
  2. derived from bulle
  3. derived from bille
  4. inherited from bille
  5. compounded as brown-bill — “brown + bill”

Definitions

  1. A type of halberd used by medieval foot-soldiers and constables, painted brown to prevent…

    A type of halberd used by medieval foot-soldiers and constables, painted brown to prevent rust.

    • Let the Kanne of ſtrong ale [be] your conſtable, vvith the toaſte his brovvne bill, and ſugar and nutmegs his vvatchmen ſtand in a readineſſe, to entertaine mee euerie time I come by your lodging.
    • The tramp of horses was now heard, and the Lady Rowena appeared, surrounded by several riders, and a much stronger party of footmen, who joyfully shook their pikes and clashed their brown-bills for joy of her freedom.

The neighborhood

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA