Prune | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Prūne, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PRUNED; p. pr. & vb. n. PRUNING.] [O. Eng. proine, proigne, from Fr. provigner, to lay down vine stocks for propagation, Pr. propoginar, It. propugginare. See PROVINE, PROIN, and PREEN.] 1. To lop or cut off, as the superfluous branches of trees; to trim. *Our delightful task To prune these growing plants, and tend These flowers. Milton.* 2. To clear from any thing superfluous; to dress; to trim, as a bird its feathers. *His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing, and cloys his beak. Shak.*

Prune, v. i.

verbintransitive

To dress; to prink; — used humorously or in contempt. Dryden.

Prune, n.

noun

[Fr. prune, Pr. & Sp. pruna, It. pruna, prugna, from Lat. prunum, a plum, prunus, a plum-tree, Gr. προῦνον, προῦμνον, a plum, προῦνος, προῦννος, προῦνη, the plum-tree. Cf. PLUM.] A dried plum; sometimes, also, a fresh plum.

It appears from Maroceus Extaticus, 1595, and other works, that stewed prunes were commonly placed in the windows of houses of disreputable character. Halliwell.