Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRAN, n. [W. bran, composed of b and rhan, a piece, from rhanu, to rend or tear; Arm. brenn; Ir. and Fr. bran. In Italian, brano, is a piece or bit. Arm. ranna; Ir. rannam, to tear.]

The outer coat of wheat, rye or other farinaceous grain, separated from the flour by grinding.