Tannic \Tan"nic\, a. Of or pertaining to tan; derived from, or resembling, tan; as, tannic acid.

Tannic acid. (Chem.)
   (a) An acid obtained from nutgalls as a yellow amorphous substance, C14H10O9, having an astringent taste, and forming with ferric salts a bluish-black compound, which is the basis of common ink. Called also tannin, and gallotannic acid.
   (b) By extension, any one of a series of astringent substances resembling tannin proper, widely diffused through the vegetable kingdom, as in oak bark, willow, catechu, tea, coffee, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)