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Busk

a thin, elastic strip of metal, whalebone, wood, or other material, worn in the front of a corset. Her long slit sleeves, stiff busk, puff verdingall, Is all that makes her thus angelical. (Marston)

Origin: f. Busc, perh. Fr. The hypothetical older form of E. Bois wood, because the first busks were made of wood. See bush, and cf. OF. Busche, f. Buche, a piece or log of wood, fr. The same root.