tannin

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   any of a group of astringent plant compounds that bind proteins and are found in bark, leaves, fruit, tea, and wine

   Tannin gives strong black tea its dry, puckering sensation.

2. 2
   noun

   tannin-containing material used to convert animal hide into leather

   The tannery extracted tannin from oak bark for treating hides.

Borrowed from French tanin, from tan, 'crushed oak bark used in tanning,' with the chemical suffix -in. Tan is ultimately of Celtic origin. The compounds were named for their ability to bind proteins and turn hides into leather.

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