Forms: 3 becc, 5–6 bek, 6–7 becke, 7 beke, 5– beck. [a. ON. bekk-r (Du. bæk, Sw. bäck), brook, rivulet:—OTeut. *bakki-z masc.; cognate with *baki-z, whence OE. bęce masc., OS. bęki, MDu. bēke, Du. beek fem., and OHG. bah, mod.G. bach masc., also fem. provincially. Gothic preserves no form of this word, which is also unknown beyond Teutonic.]
1. A brook or stream: the ordinary name in those parts of England from Lincolnshire to Cumberland which were occupied by the Danes and Norwegians; hence, often used spec. in literature to connote a brook with stony bed, or rugged course, such as are those of the north country.
a. 1300. Cursor M. (Gött.). 8946. Made a brig, Ouer a littel becc [Cott. burn, Trin. ryuere] to lig.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 29. Bek watyr, rendylle, riuulus, torrens.
1481. in Ripon Ch. Acts, 341. Markington beck.
1538. Leland, Itin., I. 70. There cummith a very little Bek thorough the Toun of Northalverton … communely callid Sunnebek.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 722. Wandering beckes [printed beakes] and violent swift brookes.
1630. Sanderson, Serm., II. 276. Shallowest becks run with the greatest noise.
1691. Ray, N. Countr. Wds., 131. A Beck, a Rivulet or small Brook.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 235. I have laid me down … and watch’d The beck roll glittering to the noontide sun.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, xxvii. 369. Each gorge and valley has its beck.
2. The valley-bottom through which a beck flows: cf. BACHE.
1641. Best, Farm. Books (1856), 28. Keepe them [sheep] togeather in some well fenced place, as the Bricke close … the Newe Intacke in the towne becke.
