Busk

n. [Fr. busc, busque, from the hypothetical older form of Fr. bois, bos, wood, because the first busks were made of wood. See Bush, and cf. O. Fr. busche, N. Fr. bûche, a piece or log of wood, from the same root.] A long, thin piece of metal, whale-bone, or wood, somewhat elastic, and worn in the front of women’s corsets; a corset-board.

Her long slit sleeves, stiff busk, puff verdingall, Is all that makes her thus angelical. Marston.

v. t. or v. i. [O. Fr. busquer, Sp. & Pg. buscar, to seek, search, It. buscare, to catch, capture, from buscus, boscus, originally to go through a bush; hence, to hunt, trace, track. See BUSH.] 1. To go; to direct one's course. [Obs.] Ye might have busked you to Huntley banks. Skelton. 2. To prepare, make ready, array. Busk you, busk you, my bonny bride. Hamilton. And busked them bold to battle and to fight. Fairfax.