Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 4 busche, 4–5 bussh(e, 5 boyssh(e, 6 bush. [Deriv. uncertain: cf. OF. buschier ‘frapper, heurter,’ MDu. buusschen (= MHG. biuschen) to knock, beat; also PUSH.] intr. To butt with the head; to push.
1387. Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. II. 191. He may busche aȝenst men and horshedes and breke strong dores wiþ his heed. Ibid. (1398), Barth. De P. R., XVIII. iii. (1495), 749. The ramme is excyted and busshyth full strongely.
1515. Scot. Field, 439. Then full boldlie on the brode hills, we bushed with our standarts.
1590. Greene, Mourn. Garm., 33. If he bush not at beautie.
1864. E. Capern, Devon Provinc., To Bush, to butt or strike with the head.
Hence Bushing vbl. sb.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. lix. (1495), 273. A postume comyth … of brekynge and brusinge and boysshynge and hurtelynge.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeless, I. 99. Þey made ȝou to leue þat regne ȝe ne myȝte, Withoute busshinge adoune of all ȝoure best ffrendis.
