Obs. exc. Sc. and dial. [Of uncertain origin. Cf. Ger. prangen ‘to adorn oneself, vaunt, brag,’ for which MHG. had brangen (also brankieren); perh. the Eng. word was adapted from an equivalent LG. form. Cf. PRANK. Jamieson connects it with the prec., through the notion of ‘bridle up oneself.’] Hence Branking, -and ppl. a.
1. intr. Of horses: To prance, to toss the head.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1861. They hewene, With brandez of browne stele brankkand stedez!
1513. Douglas, Æneis, XI. xii. 7. Stedis apon thar strait born bridillis brankand fast.
2. Of persons: To march in a confident or demonstrative fashion; to strut; to prance, prank.
c. 1550. Lyndesay, Pedder Coffeis, 37. He cumis brankand throw the toun.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., IV. ii. Her brankan wooer taks his horse, To strut a gentle spark at E’nburgh cross.
1811. Mrs. Grant, Highland Superst., II. 260. When Donald came branking down the brae Wi’ twenty thousand men.
1862. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, xlvii. They came branking into some pot-house.
