The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pavan \Pav"an\, n. [F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp.
   pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.]
   A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state
   costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its
   movements to those of the peacock. [Written also pavane,
   paven, pavian, and pavin.]
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pavan
    n 1: music composed for dancing the pavane [syn: pavane,
         pavan]
    2: a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries [syn:
       pavane, pavan]