brusque adjective alsobrusk\ˈbrəsk sometimes -ru̇sk or -rü-\ (-er/-est) Etymology: French brusque, from Italian brusco, from Medieval Latin bruscus butcher's-broom, perhaps blend of Latin ruscus butcher's-broom and Late Latin brucus heather — more at brier : markedly short and abrupt : tending to be brisk, sharp, and often somewhat harsh or lacking gentleness Synonyms:see bluff