▪ I. browning, vbl. n.
(ˈbraʊnɪŋ)
[f. brown v.]
1. The action or process of making or becoming brown. (Browning of polished iron: see the vb.)
| 1791 Hamilton Berthollet's Dyeing II. ii. 346 To give a browning, stuff which has just been dyed must be dipped, etc. 1808 Morn. Post Oct. 3 The cropping of the soldiers' hair is to be followed by the browning of the hitherto bright barrel and lock of the musket. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. II. 7 Shrivelling and browning of the leaves of trees. 1881 Greener Gun 254 The process of browning takes from four to eight days. |
2. Cookery. A preparation for imparting a brown colour to gravy or made dishes.
| 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Housekpr. (1778) Introd. 3 Lemon pickle and browning answers..better than cullis. 1796 H. Glasse Cookery v. 42 Take one spoonful of red wine, half as much of browning. |
▪ II. ˈbrowning, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
a. Becoming brown. b. Making brown.
| 1596 Gosson Pleas. Quippes 98 in Hazl. E.P.P. IV. 254 The tallow-pale, the browning-bay, The swarthie-blacke, the grassie-greene. 1834 Marryat Jac. Faithf. v. 27 Where is the blooming cheek, ruddy with the browning air? 1884 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxviii. 290 The browning grasses quivered airily against the sky. |
▪ III. † ˈbrowning, n.1 Obs.
Perhaps = brownie1 1.
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 2 He..that calls for nothing else at sea but winde; and neuer rests till Browning be come. Ibid. Gloss., Browning, a term vsuall in the mouths of mariners and winnowers of corne, when they are calmed and do call for wind. |