Tawny \Taw"ny\, a. [Compar. Tawnier; superl. Tawniest.]

[F. tann['e], p. p. of tanner to tan. See Tan, v. t. & n. Cf. Tenn['e].]

Of a dull yellowish brown color, like things tanned, or persons who are sunburnt; as, tawny Moor or Spaniard; the tawny lion. ``A leopard's tawny and spotted hide.'' --Longfellow.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)