The word is derived from the French brusque , which originally described the quality of a butcher's broom plant. In English, it began appearing in the mid-19th century—specifically the 1850s—to describe a person’s manner. Perspectives on Brusqueness Dear James: Do I Need to Shut Up at Work? - The Atlantic
: A sudden, sharp manner that lacks social niceties or "watercooler" small talk. brusqueness
: Being very frank, often without considering the listener's feelings. The word is derived from the French brusque