Etymology Dictionary

TAN,  oak-bark or other bark used for converting hides into leather.  (F.,—Bret.)   The sb. is, etymologically, the orig. word, but is rarely seen in books; Levins has only tan as a verb.   Rich. quotes 'skinnes in tan-tubs' from Hackluyt's Voyages, vol. iii. p. 104.   The M.E. tannen, verb, to tan, occurs in Eng. Gilds, p. 358, l. 16, and the sb. tanner is common, as in P. Plowman, C. i. 223, &c.—F. tan, 'the bark of a young oak, wherewith leather is tanned;' Cot.—Bret. tann, an oak, occasionally used (but rarely) with the sense of tan; Legonidec.   The G. tanne, a fir-tree, is prob. the same word, and, if so, a Celtic word; the names of oak and fir seem to have been confused; see Max Müller, Lect. vol. ii, App. to Lect. v.   Der. tan, verb, as above; tann-er; tann-er-y, from F. tannerie, 'tanning, also a tan-house,' Cot.   Also tann-ic, a coined word; tann-in, F. tanin (Hamilton), a coined word; tan-ling, one scorched by the sun, Cymb. iv. 4. 29.   Also tawn-y, q.v.