bresna n also breastner, breastney, bresney, brishney. EDD ~ sb Ir; DINNEEN brosna 'faggot, an armful of wood.' A bundle of firewood; load of dry twigs. Cp BACK¹: BACK-BURN.
   [c1894] PANL P4/14, p. 2 Who, outside of Newfoundland, would know the meaning of a 'turn,' a 'burn,' a 'breastner' of wood? [c1900] 1978 RLS 8, p. 25 Bresney—a small bundle of sticks for firing, carried on women's or children's backs. 1937 DEVINE 11 Breastney. A load of dry sticks or boughs that one can lift to the shoulder. 1955 ENGLISH 33 Brishney—dry twigs gathered for fuel. C 66-4 Breastney—a pile of dry bushes tied together. 1968 DILLON 133 I have to go in now for a bresney.

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