bri·ar 1 also bri·er 
(brīər)
(brīər)n.
1. A Mediterranean shrub or small tree (Erica arborea) in the heath family, whose woody roots are used to make tobacco pipes. Also called tree heath.
2. A pipe made from the root of this plant or from a similar wood.
[French bruyère, heath, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *brūcāria, from Late Latin brūcus, heather, of Celtic origin; see wer-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]