Obs. [Prob. so called because worn in the army of the Elector of Brandenburg, afterwards king of Prussia; cf. Fr. brandebourg, boutonnière avec ornement (Boiste).] pl. The ornamental facings to the breast of an officers coat.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xcii. 422. [The Prussian King] in his regimentals, which are a blue cloth frock with silver brandenburgs.
a. 1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl. (1815), 225. He wore a coat trimmed with Brandenburgs, now totally deprived of their metal.