Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BRUISE
I. verb (bruised; bruising)
Etymology: Middle English brusen, brisen, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French bruiser, briser to break, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish bruid he shatters; Old English brȳsan to bruise; akin to Old Irish bruid, Latin frustum piece
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. disable , batter , dent , to inflict a bruise on ; contuse, to break down (as leaves or berries) by pounding ; crush , wound , injure , intransitive verb to inflict a bruise, to undergo bruising ,
II. noun
Date: 1541
1. an injury involving rupture of small blood vessels and discoloration without a break in the overlying skin ; contusion , a similar injury to plant tissue, abrasion , scratch , an injury especially to the feelings