Now chiefly dial. [cf. Ger. dial. kirn-, kernmilch, Du. kernemelk, LG. karnmelk, karmelk. Icel. kjarna-mjólk.] Butter-milk, the acidulous milk which remains after the butter has been separated.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 97. The churnmilke which remaineth of the butter.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 267/2. We may give it charne or Buttermilcke.
1628. Earle, Microcosm. Upstart Knt. (Arb.), 38. His face beares still a relish of Churne-milke.
1867. Waugh, Our Blanket, iii. 76. A mug-full o’ churn-milk.
1879. Suppl. Voc. E. Anglia (E. D. S.), Churn-milk.
b. attrib. in fig. sense.
1590. Greene, Never too Late, Wks. (Grosart), VIII. 195. You that stand vpon the beauty of your churnmilke face.
