Obs. Forms: 4 barselette, -slett, 4–5 barslet, bercelett, -selette, -slet, 5 breslet, 5–7 bercelett. [Corruption of OF. berseret hunting-dog, dim. of bersier huntsman (in med.L. bersārius), f. berser, bercer (in med.L. bersāre) to hunt, esp. with the bow, orig. to shoot with the bow. Thence also Ger. berschen to shoot game, It. bersaglio an archer’s butt, whence bersagliere archer, sharp-shooter, rifleman.] A hunting dog, a hound.
c. 1340. Alexander, 786 (Dublin MS.). Was neuer barslett in band more buxum to hys lord.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, VI. 2196. Ger hom bowe as a berslet & þi blithe seche.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., iii. Wyth bow, and wyth berselette Vndurneth the boes.
c. 1420. Avow. Arth., vii. He [the boar] brittunt bercelettus bold.
1679. Plot, Staffordsh., 444. Every day for his servant and his bercelett … twelve pence.
