I. ˈbər-nish transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English burnischen, from Anglo-French burniss-, stem of burnir, alteration of Old French brunir, literally, to make brown, from brun
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : to make shiny or lustrous especially by rubbing
b. : polish 3
2. : to rub (a material) with a tool for compacting or smoothing or for turning an edge
• bur·nish·er noun
• bur·nish·ing adjective or noun
II. noun
Date: circa 1647
: luster , gloss