Also Sc. snaw-broo, -bru. [f. SNOW sb.1] Melted snow; water produced or obtained by the melting of snow, esp. from natural causes.
α. 1600. Holland, Livy, XXI. xxxvi. 413. They were faine to go upon the bare yce underneath, and in the slabberie snow-broth.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., I. iv. 58. A man, whose blood Is very snow-broth.
1681. Chetham, Angler’s Vade-m., viii. § 2 (1689), 89. In cold, frosty or snowy Weather or where store of Snow-broth is in the River.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Snow-broth, Snow-water.
1845. S. Judd, Margaret, I. vi. 29. This is none of your snow-broth,… it’s warming.
1862. C. C. Robinson, Dial. Leeds, 416. Snow-broth.… Snow melted in a vessel is so called.
1888. Pall Mall Gaz., 7 April, 5/1. The bitter east winds of March,… and the almost certain ‘snow-broth’ in the water.
β. 1787. Burns, Brigs of Ayr, 120. In mony a torrent down the snaw-broo rowes.
1803. Prize Ess. Highl. Soc., II. 400. Until the melted snow (snaw bru) is out of the water.
1899. Westm. Gaz., 21 Jan., 7/2. Fishing will almost certainly be temporarily stopped on account of the ‘snaw-broo.’
