[roan] adj [MF, fr. OSp roano] (1530): having the base color (as red, black, or brown) muted and lightened by admixture of white hairs "a ~ horse" "a ~ calf"
[2]roan n (1580) 1: an animal (as a horse) with a roan coat--usu. used of a red roan when unqualified
2: the color of a roan horse--used esp. when the base color is red [3]roan n [origin unknown] (1818): sheepskin tanned with sumac and colored and finished to imitate morocco