Taw"ny (?), a. [Compar. Tawnier (?); superl. Tawniest.] [F. tanné, p.p. of tanner to tan. See Tan, v. t. & n. Cf. Tenné.]
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.
© Webster 1913.