Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

zany

zany (zā"ne) , adjective

Comical in a clownish or buffoonish manner; whimsically comical.

Zany , noun

[Italian zanni a buffoon, merry-andrew, orig. same as Giovanni John, i. e., merry John, Latin Ioannes, Greek {not transcribed}, Hebrew Yōkhānān, prop., the Lord graciously gave: compare French zani, from the Italian. Compare 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

Zany , transitive verb

To mimic. [Obsolete]
Your part is acted; give me leave at distance To zany it. — Massinger