[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 been just dyed, is 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 color to gravy or made dishes.
1769. Mrs. Raffald, Eng. Housekpr. (1778), Introd. 3. Lemon pickle and browning answers … better than cullis.
1796. Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, v. 42. Take one spoonful of red wine, half as much of browning.
