brand n also bran. Cp OED ~ sb 2 'a piece of wood that has been burning on the hearth'; EDD sb¹ 1 'a log of wood for burning.' In making a fire on an open hearth, the smallest of the pieces of wood laid for lighting with 'bavins' or 'chovies'; ignited, or 'live,' such a log used in a Christmas Eve ceremony (second 1937 quot), and, in query to a hurried visitor, come for a brand? phrasal use.
   1866 WILSON 353 The fire was made upon the hearth, and the wood supported by dog-irons. If the fire required a second tier of wood, it was supported upon the lower tier, by small sticks called triggers, which were placed crossways. A large stick was placed against the back, a smaller one in front, and a lesser one still in the middle. The wood was sometimes quite green, and hence making a fire was quite an art, and required back-junks, fore-junks, middle-junks, triggers, splits, and brands; and the fishermen would sometimes say whoever can build a good fire with green fir can build a boat. 1901 Christmas Bells 4 On the 'French Shore,' at midnight on Christmas Eve, a live brand from the Yule-log is solemnly taken out doors and thrown over the house, to preserve it from being burnt down the coming year. 1937 DEVINE 10 Bran. [Probably] Brand; a log of wood afire. C 67-4 'What's yer hurry? What did ye come for, a bran?' Often heard when a visitor leaves long before he or she is expected to leave. This probably goes back to the days before matches, when people might come to a neighbouring house for fire. P 288-82 When [she] called to invite someone over to the house for a short visit, she'd say, 'Come for a bran.'

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