Brink \Brink\ (br[i^][ng]k), n. [Dan. brink edge, verge; akin to
   Sw. brink declivity, hill, Icel. brekka; cf. LG. brink a
   grassy hill, W. bryn hill, bryncyn hillock.]
   The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a
   precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a
   border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig. "The brink of
   vice." --Bp. Porteus. "The brink of ruin." --Burke.
   
[1913 Webster]


         The plashy brink of weedy lake.          --Bryant.
   
[1913 Webster]
 brinkmanship

brink
     n 1: a region marking a boundary [syn: {threshold}, {verge}]
     2: the edge of a steep place
     3: the limit beyond which something happens or changes; "on the
        verge of tears"; "on the brink of bankruptcy" [syn: {verge}]

35 Moby Thesaurus words for "brink":
   bank, board, border, bordure, brim, brow, coast, edge, featheredge,
   flange, frame, fringe, hem, labellum, labium, labrum, ledge, limb,
   limbus, lip, list, marge, margin, perimeter, periphery, point,
   ragged edge, rim, selvage, shore, side, sideline, skirt, threshold,
   verge