Obs. rare–1. [perh. after It. colorisc-ere (Florio, 1611) = L. colorīre, colorāre to color, paint: cf. early OF. colorir, coloríss-ant = colorer: see COLOUR v. and -ISH. Cf. also burnish.] To color up, brighten up with color. Hence Colourishing vbl. sb.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., Pref. A iij a. New impressions [were] but the colourishing of old stamps which stood pale in the soul before.
