Webster's English Dictionary

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breech

breech \'bre-ch; "breeches" (garment) is usu 'brich-*z\ n [ME, breeches, 
   fr. OE bre-c, pl. of bro-c leg covering; akin]to OHG bruoh breeches, OE 
   brecan to break pl  1a: short trousers covering the hips and thighs and 
   fitting snugly at the l ower edges at or just below the knee 1b: PANTS  2: 
   BUTTOCKS  3a: the part of a firearm at the rear of the bore  3b: the bottom 
   of a pulley block