from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Breeze \Breeze\, Breeze fly \Breeze" fly`\, n. [OE. brese, AS.
bri['o]sa; perh. akin to OHG. brimissa, G. breme, bremse, D.
brems, which are akin to G. brummen to growl, buzz, grumble,
L. fremere to murmur; cf. G. brausen, Sw. brusa, Dan. bruse,
to roar, rush.] (Zool.)
A fly of various species, of the family {Tabanid[ae]}, noted
for buzzing about animals, and tormenting them by sucking
their blood; -- called also {horsefly}, and {gadfly}. They
are among the largest of two-winged or dipterous insects. The
name is also given to different species of botflies. [Written
also {breese} and {brize}.]
[1913 Webster]