browse
UK: /braʊz/ | US: /braʊz/
v. to look through or glance at something casually (e.g., books, websites)
v. (of animals) to feed on leaves, twigs, or other vegetation
browse = brows<young shoots/leaves> + e (verbal suffix)
- brows <young shoots/leaves>: From Old French brost (bud, shoot), likely of Germanic origin, related to grazing or nibbling vegetation.
- e (verbal suffix): A common English verb-forming ending.
Etymology Origin:
The word browse originally referred to animals feeding on tender shoots or leaves (16th century). By the 19th century, it metaphorically extended to humans casually looking through books, akin to "grazing" content. The modern sense of scanning digital content (e.g., websites) emerged in the late 20th century, preserving the idea of light, exploratory engagement.
She likes to browse the bookstore on weekends.
Deer often browse on shrubs in this forest.
I spent hours browsing the internet for travel ideas.
The goats browsed lazily in the meadow.
He browsed the menu before ordering.