Do you speak a little Scandinavian when you say 'tarn'?

'Tarn' is a word borrowed from Scandinavian 'tarn'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

tarn [noun] [14th century]

A small steep-banked mountain lake or pool

See 'tarn' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Scandinavian.

Etymology: Middle English 'terne, tarne' of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse 'tjǫrn' small lake

See more loan words from 1300s.