brook"to endure," O.E. brucan "use, ennjoy, possess; eat; cohabit with," from P.Gmc. *bruk- "to make use of, enjoy" (cf. O.S. brukan, O.Fris. bruka, O.H.G. bruhhan, Ger. brauchen "to use," Goth. brukjan), from PIE base *bhrug- "to make use of, have enjoyment of" (cf. L. fructus). Sense of "use" applied to
food led to "be able to digest," and by 16c. to "tolerate."