châtain

chestnut, chestnut-coloured, brown; having chestnut hair, brunette

“une femme châtain(e)” — a woman with chestnut hair

First attested in the end of the 12th century; a back-formation from châtaigne, re-interpreted as a feminine adjective. Alternatively, inherited from Latin castaneus. The feminine châtaine is only attested since the second half of the 18th century; châtaine is also found as a non-palatalized alternative to châtaigne. Compare invariable marron.

chestnut brown

First attested in the end of the 12th century; a back-formation from châtaigne, re-interpreted as a feminine adjective. Alternatively, inherited from Latin castaneus. The feminine châtaine is only attested since the second half of the 18th century; châtaine is also found as a non-palatalized alternative to châtaigne. Compare invariable marron.