Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRANK, Branks, v.1 To bridle, to halter; also used fig. E.D.D. (1898) gives brank as “still sometimes used” in Wgt. Known to Abd.13 1914 (branks) and to Fif.10 1935. [brɑŋk(s)]Sc. 1886 C. Rogers Social Life in Scot. III. xxi.:
According to the legend, he [the water kelpie] was branked by the builder of the parish Church.Abd.15 1925:
Wis the beastie ever brankit afore?Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems, etc. 162:
He'll need to scrog his bonnet blue Wi' corkin' preen, An branks the muckle hawket cow For Aberdeen.Ags. 1875 J. Watson Samples of Common Sense in Verse 77:
His Maidy is famous for cookin' beef-steak, And very expert at the branksin' o' snippie [i.e. hanging the kettle on the crook].
