Definition of brownouts:
(n) :
(electricity) A period of low alternating current line voltage, causing a reduction in illumination.
(n) :
A power outage during the day; distinguished from a blackout, which occurs at night.
(n) :
A temporary dimming of vision, usually with a brown hue and accompanied by loss of peripheral vision or tunnel vision.
(n) :
(Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong) A blackout, regardless of time of day.
(n) :
(firefighting) A temporary closing of a fire station, usually due to budget restrictions.
(n) :
(figurative, uncommon) A moment or period where something is weakened, diminished or less effective.