Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Zany \Za"ny\, n.; pl. {Zanies}. [It. zanni a buffoon,
   merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i. e., merry John,
   L. Ioannes, Gr. ?, Heb. Y[=o]kh[=a]n[=a]n, prop., the Lord
   graciously gave: cf. F. zani, fr. the Italian. Cf.
   {Jenneting}.]
   A merry-andrew; a buffoon.

         Then write that I may follow, and so be Thy echo, thy
         debtor, thy foil, thy zany.              --Donne.

         Preacher at once, and zany of thy age.   --Pope.