An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1a) General: An abrupt, intense increase. A period of intense activity. A sudden outbreak or outburst. An explosion.

1b) Astro.: A period of abrupt increase in the intensity of a phenomenon, for example → star formation rate or emission of radiation such as → X-ray burst,
→ gamma-ray burst, or → cosmic-ray burst. See also → burst of star formation, → starburst galaxy.

2. To come open or fly apart suddenly or violently, especially from internal pressure.

Etymology (EN): M.E. bersten, from O.E. berstan, akin to O.H.G. berstan “to burst;” from PIE *bhres- “to burst, break, crack.”

Etymology (PE): 1) Belk, Mod.Pers. “a blaze, a flame.” The term has several variants, including in dialects: balk [Mo’in], pâlk (Tokharian AB), bal (Gilaki, Semnâni, Sorxeyi, Sangesari, Lahijâni), val (Gilaki), bilese (Kordi), beleyz (Lori), warq, barx [Mo’in], and the Pers. widespread term gorr “burst of fire.” Belk derives probably from Mid.Pers. brâh, Av. braz- “to shine, gleam, flash, radiate,”
cf. Skt. bhâ- “to shine,” bhrajate “shines, glitters,” O.H.G. beraht “bright,” O.E. beorht “bright;” PIE *bhereg- “to shine.” The Mod.Pers. barq “glitter; → electricity” probably belongs to this family. Therefore, the Hebrew barak and Ar. barq may be loanwords from Old or Mid.Pers.

2. Belkidan, from belk + infinitive suffix -idan.