Dictionary

brannigan en · NOUN

Etymology

Bran(n)- refers to an ancient king of Wales, his name meaning "raven" in Old Welsh. His head is said to be buried under the Tower of London & is why, it is said, that ravens flock to it. "-igan" is an Anglicization of the Brythonic Gaelic surname suffix "-yggan" which means "descendant of".

Meanings

1. binge, bender, booze-up (where alcohol is drunk)
   • In the last decade of his life he went for long stretches without touching booze. Then stresses and strains would build up inside him and he would embark on a brannigan. 1977, Harry Allen Smith, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler:
2. brawl, fight
   • The second round was a brannigan from bell to bell. Both men went out for blood and both got it. 2005, Louis L'Amour, May There Be a Road: Stories:

Forms

Translations (1)

pl balanga (booze-up)