BARK

n. & v. --n. 1 the tough protective outer sheath of the trunks, branches, and twigs of trees or woody shrubs. 2 this material used for tanning leather or dyeing material. --v.tr. 1 graze or scrape (one's shin etc.). 2 strip bark from (a tree etc.). 3 tan or dye (leather etc.) using the tannins found in bark. [ME f. OIcel. bærkr bark-: perh. rel. to BIRCH]