E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
House-sweepings, as fluff, dust, ashes, and so on, thrown as refuse into the dust-bin. We generally limit the meaning now to small ashes and cinders used for coals in burning bricks. The word is a corruption of the French, débris (rubbish, or rather the part broken or rubbed off by wear, tear, and stress of weather). The French, braise, older form brese, means small coke or charcoal.
The Breeze-fly. The gad-fly; so called from its sting. (Anglo-Saxon, briose; Gothic, bry, a sting.)