brû·lée noun alsobrû·lé\(ˈ)brüˌlā, bru̅e̅lā\ (-s) Etymology: Canadian French brûlé, from French, past participle of brûler to burn, from Old French bruller, perhaps blend of Old High German brennen + Latin ustulare, from ustus, past participle of urere — more at burn, ember : a piece of burned-over woodland