ˈmeləˌnizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: melan- + -ism
1.
a. : an unusual development of black or nearly black color in the skin or in the plumage or pelage occurring either as a characteristic of a variety or as an individual variation especially in mammals and birds
b. : a melanistic variety or individual
2. : the character in man of having a high degree of pigmentation in skin, eyes, and hair
3. : a surface browning or blackening of tissues (as of wheat) due to development of pigment in the outer layers