The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bruise \Bruise\ (br[udd]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bruised; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Bruising.] [OE. brusen, brisen, brosen,
   bresen, AS. br?san or fr. OF. bruiser, bruisier, bruser, to
   break, shiver, perh. from OHG. brochis[=o]n. Cf. Break, v.
   t.]
   1. To injure, as by a blow or collision, without laceration;
      to contuse; as, to bruise one's finger with a hammer; to
      bruise the bark of a tree with a stone; to bruise an apple
      by letting it fall.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To break; as in a mortar; to bray, as minerals, roots,
      etc.; to crush.
      [1913 Webster]

            Nor bruise her flowerets with the armed hoofs.
                                                  --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To pulverize; bray; triturate; pound; contuse.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

bruising
    adj 1: causing mental or emotional injury; "a bruising
           experience"; "protected from the bruising facts of
           battle"- John Mason Brown
    2: brutally forceful and compelling; "protected from the
       bruising facts of battle"