japan

 
Pronunciation: /dʒəˈpan/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a hard, dark, enamel-like varnish containing asphalt, used to give a black gloss to metal objects.
  • a kind of varnish in which pigments are ground, typically used to imitate lacquer on wood.
  • articles made in a Japanese style, especially when decorated with lacquer or enamel-like varnish.

verb (japans, japanning, japanned)

[with object]
  • cover (something) with a hard black varnish: (as adjective japanned) a japanned tin tray

Origin:

late 17th century: from Japan