dial. Also 9 flam. [Of unknown etymology. There is a remarkable coincidence of sense with F. flanier slightly concave (said of a grindstone), according to Hatzf.-Darm. f. flan tart, FLAWN; but it is difficult to assume a parallel derivation for the Eng. dialect word.]
Broad, flat, and shallow; also, ‘shallow and with sloping sides’ (Lonsdale Gloss., 31).
1781. Hutton, Tour to Caves, Gloss., Flan, shallow.
1787. Grose, Provinc. Gloss., Flan, broad.
1825–79. Jamieson, Flan, ‘flat, not very hollow.’
1876. Mid. Yorksh. Gloss., Flan-hat is a summer-hat with a flapping brim, worn by the farmer’s wives.
1878. Cumberld. Gloss., s.v. They gave us fry’t eggs and collops in a flan dish.
