Obs. rare. [immed. ad. MFlem. clûse in same sense:—WGer. klûsa, a. late L. clūsa = clausa a shut up place, whence (among other senses) a monastic cell. For other developments of L. clūsa, clausa, cf. OE. clús(e inclosure, narrow passage, close, bond, prison; also CLOSE sb.1, CLOW sb.2] A (monastic) cell.
1481. Caxton, Reynard, iv. (Arb.), 9. He … hath bylded a cluse, theryn dwelleth he.
Cluse: see CLOW sb.1 dam, sluice; also CLOSE v.
