To give a bright brown colour to, as to gun barrels, by forming a thin coating of oxide on their surface.
To turn progressively more Middle Eastern, Hispanic or Latino, in the context of the population of a geographic region.
Origin
From Middle English broun, from Old English brūn ("brown; dark; dusky"), from Proto-Germanic *brūnaz (compare West Frisian brún, Dutch bruin, German braun), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (compare Ancient Greek φρύνη, φρῦνος; Latin brunneus), compare Lithuanian bė́ras ("brown"), Sanskrit बभ्रु ("reddish-brown")). bruin.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.