ENGLISH
REFERENCE

browse

v. · n.
US //ˈbɹaʊz// UK //bɹˈaʊz// browse
  1. 1 to look through casually (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to look through a shop, a book, or a collection of things without a specific plan.

    to inspect goods or information casually and at leisure, often without a predetermined purchase or search goal.

    Example

    I spent an hour browsing through the old books in the corner of the shop.

    Example

    While waiting for her appointment, she browsed through several lifestyle magazines in the reception area to pass the time.
  2. 2 to use the internet (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to look at different websites or pages on the internet.

    to navigate through hyperlinked documents or web pages using a software application.

    Example

    He was browsing the web for a new pair of running shoes.

    Example

    The software allows users to browse the internal database securely without needing to download large files to their local machines.
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  1. 3 animals eating plants (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    when animals like deer or goats eat leaves, twigs, and high plants.

    to feed on the tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees or shrubs rather than grass.

    Example

    We watched the deer browse on the low branches of the apple trees.

    Example

    Overpopulation of the local deer herd has led them to browse heavily on young saplings, preventing the forest from regenerating naturally.

    Usage

    Often distinguished from 'grazing', which refers specifically to eating grass.
  2. 4 an act of looking (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a quick or casual look through something.

    an instance of browsing through a collection of items or information.

    Example

    I had a quick browse through the catalogue but didn't see anything I liked.

    Example

    A brief browse of the archives revealed several letters that had been previously overlooked by historians.
  3. 5 animal fodder (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    young branches and leaves that animals eat.

    the young shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs that are suitable for animal feed.

    Example

    The farmer gathered fresh browse for the goats during the winter months.

    Example

    The availability of high-quality browse is a critical factor in the survival of moose populations during deep-snow winters.
Origin

From Middle English browsen, from Old French brouster, broster (“to nibble off buds, sprouts, and bark; browse”), from brost (“a sprout, shoot, bud”), from a Germanic source, perhaps Frankish brust (“shoot, bud”), from Proto-Germanic brustiz (“bud, shoot”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (“to swell, sprout”). Cognate with Bavarian Bross, Brosst (“a bud”), Old Saxon brustian (“to sprout”). Doublet of brut, breast, and brush.

Word family

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