Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Branks
{
Brank
,Branks
, }Noun.
[Cf. Gael.
brangus
, brangas
, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas
halter, or D. pranger
fetter.] 1.
A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Jamieson.
2.
A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold.