maroon
UK: məˈruːn | US: məˈruːn
n. 1. A dark reddish-brown color.
n. 2. A person who is stranded or isolated, especially on a deserted island.
vt. 3. To leave someone trapped or isolated in a remote place.
The word "maroon" traces back to Spanish "cimarrón," meaning "wild" or "untamed," often describing escaped slaves or animals in the Caribbean. Over time, it evolved into French "marron" (feral), then English "maroon," shifting from "wild" to "isolated" (as in stranded). The color sense emerged later, inspired by the dark brown hue of chestnuts ("marron" in French).
The walls were painted a deep maroon.
Pirates marooned the traitor on a tiny island.
She felt marooned in the new city without friends.
The maroon sweater matched her boots perfectly.
The novel tells the story of a marooned sailor.