ETYM Old Eng. bratt coarse garnment, AS. bratt cloak, from the Celtic; cf. W. brat clout, rag, Gael. brat cloak, apron, rag, Irish brat cloak; properly then, a child's bib or clout; hence, a child.
1. A coarse kind of apron for keeping the clothes clean; a bib.
2. (Pejorative) A child; an offspring.