BRAILS. Ropes passing through leading blocks on the hoops of the mizen-mast and gaff, and fastened to the outermost leech of the sail, in different places, to truss it close up as occasion requires; all trysails and several of the staysails also have brails. BRAIL UP! The order to pull upon the brails, and thereby spill and haul in the sail. The mizen, or spanker, or driver, or any of the gaff-sails, as they may be termed, when brailed up, are deemed furled; unless it blows hard, when they are farther secured by gaskets. BRAKE. The handle or lever by which a common ship-pump is usually worked. It operates by means of two iron bolts, one thrust through the inner hole of it, which bolted through forms the lever axis in the iron crutch of the pump, and serves as the fulcrum for the brake, supporting it between the cheeks. The other bolt connects the extremity of the brake to the pump-spear, which draws up the spear box or piston, charged with the water in the tube; derived from _brachium_, an arm or lever. Also, used to check the speed of machinery by frictional force pressing on the circumference of the largest wheel acted on by leverage of the brake. BRAN, TO. To go on; to lie under a floe edge, in foggy weather, in a boat in Arctic seas, to watch the approach of whales. BRANCH. The diploma of those pilots who have passed at the Trinity House, as competent to navigate vessels in particular places. The word branch is also metaphorically used for river divergents, but its application to affluents is improper. Any branch or ramification, as in estuaries, where they traverse, river-like, miles of territory, in labyrinthine mazes. BRANCH-PILOT. One approved by the Trinity House, and holding a branch, for a particular navigation. BRAND. The Anglo-Saxon for a burnished sword. A burned device or character, especially that of the broad arrow on government stores, to deface or erase which is felony. BRANDED TICKET. A discharge given to an infamous man, on which his character is written, and the reason he is turned out of the service. In the army, deserters are branded with D; also B for bad character. In the navy, a corner of the ticket is cut off. BRANDLING. A supposed fry of the salmon species, found on the north of England coasts. Also, the angler's dew-worm. BRANDY-PAWNEE. A cant term for brandy and water in India. BRANLAIG. The Manx or Gaelic term for a cove or creek on a shore between rocks. BRANLIE, OR BRANLIN. A northern name for the samlet or par. BRAN-NEW. Quite new: said of a sail which has never been bent. BRASH. Small fragments of crushed ice, collected by wind or currents, near the shore; or such that the ship can easily force through. BRASS. Impudent assurance. BRASSARTS. Pieces between the elbow and the top of the shoulder in ancient armour. BRASSER. A defensive bit of armour for the arm. BRAT. A northern name for a turbot.