I. ˈbrüd noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brōd; akin to Middle High German bruot brood and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm
Date: before 12th century
1. : the young of an animal or a family of young ; especially : the young (as of a bird or insect) hatched or cared for at one time
2. : a group having a common nature or origin
3. : the children of a family
II. adjective
Date: 15th century
: kept for breeding
a brood flock
III. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to sit on or incubate (eggs)
b. : to produce by or as if by incubation : hatch
2. of a bird : to cover (young) with the wings
3. : to think anxiously or gloomily about : ponder
intransitive verb
1.
a. of a bird : to brood eggs or young
b. : to sit quietly and thoughtfully : meditate
2. : hover , loom
3.
a. : to dwell gloomily on a subject
b. : to be in a state of depression
• brood·ing·ly ˈbrü-diŋ-lē adverb