[perh. onomatopœic, with the general sense of ‘loose down,’ ‘flocky substance’: cf. FUZZ, and BUZZY a.2 In sense 1 the dialectical buzz may really be for burs: cf. the s. w. vuzzes, vuzzen, pl. of vuzz = furze, in OE. and ME. fyrs.]
1. The rough setose or pilose seed-vessel of a plant, a bur. ‘In Suffolk the seeds of certain plants which are easily detached and stick to clothes are universally called buzzes; “bur” not being in popular use.’ F. Hall. (So in the east and south of England generally.) In quot. 1612 it has been explained as the globular seeding head of the dandelion and similar plants.
1612. Field, Wom. is Weathercock, II. i. in Hazl., Dodsley, II. 37. All your virtues Are like the buzzes growing in the fields.
1877. Holderness Gloss. (E. D. S.), Buzzes, the burrs of the teazel.
2. A downy land-beetle (Rhizotrogus solstitialis Latr.) used as bait; the artificial fly made in imitation of it.
1760. Compleat Angler, App. 121. Marlou Buzz.
1799. G. Smith, Laborat., II. 311. Buzz-brown. Dubbing, of the light-brown hair of a cur.
1851. H. Newland, Erne, 205. Black and red buzzes.
1867. F. Francis, Angling (1876), 267. The best land-beetles are the … Marlow buzz, or fern-webb.
b. quasi-adv. With or like a ‘buzz.’
1867. F. Francis, Angling, vi. (1880), 207. All buzz dressed flies. Ibid., 216. To dress the fly hackle fashion, or buzz, as it is termed.
