Brănk, n.
n. [Prob. of Celtic origin. Cf. Lat. brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn. “Gallicæ quoque suum genus farris dedere; quod illi brance vocant, apud nos sandalum, nitidissimi grani.” Plin. 18. 7.]
Sense 1. Buckwheat; — a name used in some parts of England. Halliwell.
Sense 2. [Cf. BRANCH.] In some parts of England and Scotland, a scolding-bridle, an instrument for correcting scolding women. It consists of a headpiece, which incloses the head of the offender, and of a sharp iron, which enters the mouth and restrains the tongue. Plott.