I. ˈbrā verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French braire to cry, bellow, roar, from Vulgar Latin * bragere, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish braigid he breaks wind
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to utter the characteristic loud harsh cry of a donkey ; also : to utter a sound like a donkey's
transitive verb
: to utter or play loudly or harshly
• bray noun
II. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French braier, breier, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German brehhan to break — more at break
Date: 14th century
1. : to crush or grind fine
bray seeds in a mortar
2. : to spread thin
bray printing ink