brank

1 of 2

intransitive verb

ˈbraŋk

-ed/-ing/-s

dialectal, British

: prance, caper

brank

2 of 2

noun

"

plural -s

1

a

: an instrument consisting of an iron frame surrounding the head and a sharp metal bit or gag entering the mouth formerly used to punish scolds

called also scold's bridle

—usually used in plural

b

branks plural, now chiefly Scottish : a bridle or halter for horses or cows

2

branks plural, Scottish : mumps

Word History

Etymology

Intransitive verb

Middle English branken

Noun

origin unknown

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