Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BRUTE
I. adjective see: grieve
Date: 15th century
of or relating to beasts , inanimate 1a, characteristic of an animal in quality, action, or instinct: as, cruel , savage , not working by reason , purely physical , unrelievedly harsh ,
II. noun
Date: 1611
beast , a brutal person