Plural of bruiser; people who engage in fighting or violence, or objects that easily cause bruises; tough or physically strong individuals.
From bruise (to cause discoloration of skin from impact, from Old Norse bruisa meaning 'to break' or 'to beat') plus -er suffix meaning 'one who does,' then -s for plural.
Bruiser became slang for a tough fighter or brawler, and you'll hear it in old detective novels and boxing stories—it's the kind of colorful Anglo-Saxon-rooted word that feels more authentic than formal alternatives.
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