Spruce Definition

Origin of Spruce

• From Middle English, an alteration of Pruce (“Prussia"), from new Latin, from a Baltic language, probably Old Prussian; for more, see Prussia. Spruce, spruse (1412), and Sprws (1378) were terms for commodities brought to England by Hanseatic merchants (beer, wood, leather). The tree with this name was also believed to have been native to Prussia. The adjective and verb senses ("trim, neat" and "to make trim, neat") are attested from 1594, and originate with spruce leather (1466), which was used to make a popular style of jerkins in the 1400s that was considered smart-looking.

  From Wiktionary

• Short for obsolete Spruce fir Prussian fir from Middle English Spruce Prussia alteration of Pruce from Anglo-Norman Pruz from Medieval Latin Prussia

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

• Perhaps from obsolete spruce leather Prussian leather from Middle English Spruce , Prussia spruce¹

  From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

• Alteration of Pruce.

  From Wiktionary