The Scots variant spelling for a folklore brownie given in Wikipedia’s opening sentence is broonie.
In Scottish folklore, a brownie—or broonie—is a household spirit or hobgoblin said to emerge at night while a family sleeps. It performs chores and farm work, often in exchange for a small offering such as milk, cream, porridge, or cake left near the hearth.
The creature is associated especially with Scotland, although related traditions appear in England and Ireland. Brownies are commonly described as solitary, secretive, hairy, and dressed in rags. Regional accounts vary: some portray them as human-sized or larger, while later stories often make them small and wizened.
Folklore also emphasizes that a brownie can be easily offended. If people try to give it clothing, baptize it, insult it, or exploit its labor, it may abandon the household permanently. It can also punish lazy servants with pranks or disorder.
The term has several related forms and names, including brounie, brùnaidh, gruagach, and ùruisg. These should not be confused with other legendary beings such as selkies, kelpies, or banshees, which belong to different traditions and have different roles.