BRAN, the ſkins or huſks of corn, eſpecially wheat ground, ſeparated from the flour by a ſieve or boulder. It contains, beſides, a portion of the farinaceous matter; this is leſs glutinous than the finer flour, and is ſuppoſed to have a detergent quality; infuſions of bran are not unfrequently employed in this intention externally, and ſometimes likewiſe taken inwardly.
Among the ancients, bran was uſed as an erotic, to excite love. Bran boiled, purges ſcurf, dandruff, and cleanses the hands in lieu of ſoap. The dyers reckon it among the not-colouring drugs; and uſe it for making what they call the four waters, with which they prepare their ſeveral dyes. Bran is alſo uſed as a medicine for horſes; ſee FARRIERY, § 1. 6.