Browning \Brown"ing\, n.

1. The act or operation of giving a brown color, as to gun barrels, etc.

2. (Masonry) A smooth coat of brown mortar, usually the second coat, and the preparation for the finishing coat of plaster.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Brown \Brown\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Browned; p. pr. & vb. n. Browning.]

1. To make brown or dusky.

A trembling twilight o'er welkin moves, Browns the dim void and darkens deep the groves. --Barlow.

2. To make brown by scorching slightly; as, to brown meat or flour.

3. To give a bright brown color to, as to gun barrels, by forming a thin coat of oxide on their surface. --Ure.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)