pit brow
/ˈpɪt braʊ/noun
The brow or edge of a pit; especially the area on the surface of a mine where the coal is sorted and screened.
adjective
Usually in form pitbrow. Designating a worker, usually female, employed to sort and screen coal at the pit brow.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Times. From pit + brow.