Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - norse

 I. noun  (plural ~)  Etymology: probably from obsolete Dutch noorsch, adjective, Norwegian, Scandinavian, alteration of obsolete Dutch noordsch northern, from Dutch noord north; akin to Old English north north  Date: circa 1688  1.  a. Norwegian 2  b. any of the western Scandinavian dialects or languages  c. the Scandinavian group of Germanic languages  2. plural  a. scandinavians  b. norwegians  II. adjective  Date: 1768  1. of or relating to ancient Scandinavia or the language of its inhabitants  2. Norwegian