Browband

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A strip of leather or fabric that passes across a horse's forehead as part of the bridle, typically positioned between the ears and eyes
2. The horizontal band fitted across the front of a horse's head above the eyes to help keep the bridle in place
3. A leather or cloth strap worn by a horse across its forehead as an element of the bridle assembly

Etymology: A browband is simply the strip of leather that runs across a horse's forehead as part of its bridle, sitting just above the eyes. The name is a plain compound: "brow" is the forehead ridge over the eyes, and "band" is a strip or loop that encircles something. Put together, they describe exactly what the piece does, with no metaphor or transferred sense involved. Its literal, physical meaning is the whole story here, and it has stayed unchanged for as long as the word has been in use.

Synonyms: browpiece