A word in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “mast” (EtyAC/NEL) related to Ilk. breth “beech-mast”, both derived from the root ᴹ√BERETH “beech” (Ety/BERETH). This word may be the same in both Noldorin and Ilkorin given N. Brethil and N. Brethorn (Ety/NEL; EtyAC/NEL). While breth conceivably could refer to the mast of a ship, it more likely refers to the fallen nuts and acorns of beech, oak and chestnut trees used in ancient times to feed pigs, so “*fallen nuts or acorns”, one of the senses of the Old English word “mæst”.

Conceptual Development: The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s had G. delmos “beech nuts, mast” likewise related to G. deldron “beech” (GL/30); the second element in this Gnomish word might be G. môs “food”. G. delmos also appeared (unglossed) in the Gnomish Lexicon Slip (PE13/112).