BRAN, To. To go on; to lie under a floe edge, in foggy weather, in a boat in Arctic seas, to watch the approach of whales.
BRANCH. The diploma of those pilots who have passed at the Trinity House, as competent to navigate vessels in particular places. The word branch is also metaphorically used for river divergents, but its application to affluents is improper. Any branch or ramification, as in estuaries, where they traverse, river-like, miles of territory, in labyrinthine mazes.
BRANCH-PILOT. One approved by the Trinity House, and holding a branch, for a particular navigation.
BRAND. The Anglo-Saxon for a burnished sword. A burned device or character, especially that of the broad arrow on government stores, to deface or erase which is felony.
BRANDED TICKET. A discharge given to an infamous man, on which his character is written, and the reason he is turned out of the service. In the army, deserters are branded with D; also B for bad character. In the navy, a corner of the ticket is cut off.
BRANDLING. A supposed fry of the salmon species, found on the north of England coasts. Also, the angler's dew-worm.
BRANDY-PAWNEE. A cant term for brandy and water in India.
BRANLAIG. The Manx or Gaelic term for a cove or creek on a shore between rocks.
BRANLIE, or Branlin. A northern name for the samlet or par.
BRAN-NEW. Quite new: said of a sail which has never been bent.