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.
   1913 webster
see also:
tawnier tawniest tan tenn'e