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sorrel (SAWR-uhl, SOR-uhl) - n., a light reddish-brown; a horse of this color, often with a light mane and tail.
As a horse color, sometimes better known as chestnut, though that is a superset color encompassing a broader range of shades. Sorrel is also any of several varieties of perennial herbs grown as a garden vegetable, but that has a different etymology (one with the same root as sour). As this color, in use in the 15th century, from a French source (dictionaries are disagreeing on the path there) sorel, ultimately from Old French sor, red/auburn/brown from Frankish *saur, dried (the Germanic root of which came through Old English sear as Modern English sere).
---L.
As a horse color, sometimes better known as chestnut, though that is a superset color encompassing a broader range of shades. Sorrel is also any of several varieties of perennial herbs grown as a garden vegetable, but that has a different etymology (one with the same root as sour). As this color, in use in the 15th century, from a French source (dictionaries are disagreeing on the path there) sorel, ultimately from Old French sor, red/auburn/brown from Frankish *saur, dried (the Germanic root of which came through Old English sear as Modern English sere).
---L.
