The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Browbeating \Brow"beat`ing\, n.
   The act of bearing down, abashing, or disconcerting, with
   stern looks, supercilious manners, or confident assertions.
   [1913 Webster]
         The imperious browbeatings and scorn of great men.
                                                  --L'Estrange.
   [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Browbeat \Brow"beat`\, v. t. [imp. Browbeat; p. p.
   Browbeaten; p. pr. & vb. n. Browbeating.]
   To depress or bear down with haughty, stern looks, or with
   arrogant speech and dogmatic assertions; to abash or
   disconcert by impudent or abusive words or looks; to bully;
   as, to browbeat witnesses.
   [1913 Webster]
         My grandfather was not a man to be browbeaten. --W.
                                                  Irving.
   [1913 Webster]