tar

I. noun Etymology: Middle English terr, tarr, from Old English teoru; akin to Old English trēow tree — more at tree Date: before 12th century 1. a. a dark brown or black bituminous usually odorous viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of organic material (as wood, coal, or peat) b. a substance in some respects resembling tar; especially a condensable residue present in smoke from burning tobacco that contains combustion by-products (as resins, acids, phenols, and essential oils) 2. [short for tarpaulin] sailor II. transitive verb (tarred; tarring) Date: 13th century 1. to cover with tar 2. to defile as if with tar <

least tarred by the scandal — Newsweek

> III. transitive verb or tarre (tarred; tarring; tars or tarres) Etymology: Middle English terren, tarren, from Old English tyrwan Date: before 12th century to urge to action — usually used with on