c. 1300, blere "watery, rheumy," perhaps related to blur. Compare Middle High German blerre "having blurred vision."[blear etymology, blear origin, 英语词源]
"to dim (of vision); to have watery or rheumy eyes," early 14c., of uncertain origin, possibly from an Old English *blerian, from the same source as blear (adj.). Related: Bleared; blearing.