The pavane, pavan, paven, pavin, pavian, pavine, or pavyn (It. pavana, padovana; Ger. Paduana)'s a slow processional dance common in Europe during the 16th century (Renaissance). Origin of term The origin of this term isn't known. Possibilities include the word being from Italian "[danza] Padovana", meaning "[dance] typical of Padua" (as in Bergamask); this's consistent with the equivalent form, "Paduana" or from the Spanish pavón meaning peacock (Sachs 1937, 356), though the dance was… (More on Pavane)