An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Brasse

by Friedrich Kluge

Brasse, f., ‘rope at the end of the sailyards, brace,’ first occurs in ModHG., from Du. bras, Fr. bras (from brachium), property ‘arm,’ then ‘a brace (on a yard).’ Brassen, ‘to brace, swing the yards of a ship,’ is Du. brassen, from Fr. brasser; comp. also E. brace (‘a yard rope’), of the same origin.