the skins or hulls of corn, especially wheat, ground, separated from the flour by a sieve or bolter. It contains, besides, a portion of the ferruginous 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 nut-coloured 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 Index.