Obs. exc. dial. [Origin unknown. Welsh barth ‘floor’ does not explain the sense. Wedgwood suggests derivation from OE. beorʓan ‘to protect, shelter,’ but no instance is known of the required OE. derivative *beorhþ. See BERTH.] A warm sheltered place for cattle and sheep.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 73. Warme barth giue lams. Ibid., 62. In tempest … Warme barth, vnder hedge, is a sucker to beast.
1674. Ray, S. & E. Countr. Wds., 58. Barth, a warm place or pasture for calves or lambs.
[So 1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict.]
