fawn1

 
Pronunciation: /fɔːn/

noun

  • 1a young deer in its first year: a six-month-old roe fawn
  • 2 [mass noun] a light brown colour: soft shades of pale green and fawn [as modifier]: a fawn dress

verb

[no object]
  • (of a deer) produce young: the forest was closed for hunting when the does were fawning

Phrases

in fawn

(of a deer) pregnant.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French faon, based on Latin fetus 'offspring'; compare with fetus

Do not confuse fawn with faun. Fawn means 'a young deer', 'a light brown colour', or 'try to gain someone’s approval by flattering them' ( people fawn over you when you’re famous); faun means 'a Roman god that is part man, part goat'.