Husk

Pronunciation

• IPA: /hÊŒsk/

From Middle English huske ("husk"), from Old English *husuc, *hosuc ("little covering, sheath"), diminutive of hosu ("pod, shell, husk"), from Proto-Germanic *husōn, *hausaz ("covering, shell, leggings"), from Proto-Indo-European *kawəs-
kawes- ("cover"). More at hose, -ock.

Alternate etymology derives husk from Low German hūske ("little house, sheath") (cognate with Middle Dutch huskjin >

Dutch huisken, diminutive of hūs ("house").)

Noun

1. The dry, leafy or stringy exterior of certain vegetables or fruits, which must be removed before eating the meat inside A coconut has a very thick husk.
2. Any form of useless, dried-up, and subsequently worthless exterior of somethingHis attorney was a dried-up husk of a man.
3. The supporting frame of a run of millstones.

Full definition of husk

Verb

1. (transitive) To remove husks from.

Partly imitative, partly from Etymology 1, above, influenced by husky.

Verb

1. (transitive) To say huskily, to utter in a husky voice.
• The French captain did not immediately respond; he looked at his men with a miserable expression ...; still he hesitated, drooped, and finally husked, "Je me rends," with a look still more wretched. — Naomi Novik, "His Majesty's Dragon"