branding iron

noun

a long-handled metal rod with a stamp at one end, used for branding livestock, especially cattle, with a registered or recognized symbol or character to indicate ownership.

Origin of branding iron

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Also called brand.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for branding iron

So with any yearlings or older stock that have escaped the branding-iron in former seasons.
Cruisings in the Cascades|George O. Shields
A small crooked iron rod, an iron ring, or even an old horseshoe, did duty as branding-iron on these occasions.
Ranching, Sport and Travel|Thomas Carson
Another man came with what Madeline divined was a branding-iron.
The Light of Western Stars|Zane Grey
Some runaway slave is sure to kill him, and so escape the cross or the branding-iron.
Darkness and Dawn|Frederic W. Farrar

Say a six-year-old steer don't know more about a branding-iron than does Verner Lablache about his business.
The Story of the Foss River Ranch|Ridgwell Cullum