briar

Etymology 1

). Mudgee, New South Wales.]] From Middle English brere, from Old English brēr, brǣr (“briar; bramble”). Compare Icelandic brörr (“briar”).

noun

1. Any of many plants with thorny stems growing in dense clusters, such as many in the Rosa, Rubus, and Smilax genera.
2. (figurative) Anything sharp or unpleasant to the feelings.
   Rov'd far, and gather'd much : some harsh, 't is true, / Pick'd from the thorns and briers of reproof, / But wholesome, well-digested ;[…] 1785, William Cowper, The Task&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSlr2ewLXkAhUOcCsKHWbMBSgQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=The%20thorns%20and%20briers%20of%20reproof.%20(Cowper)&f=false)

Etymology 2

From French bruyère, assimilated with Etymology 1, above.

noun

1. The white heath (Erica arborea), a thorny Mediterranean shrub.
2. A pipe for smoking, made from the roots of that shrub.