The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tavern \Tav"ern\, n. [OE. taverne, F. taverne, from L. taberna a
   hut, booth, tavern. Cf. Table, Tabernacle.]
   A public house where travelers and other transient guests are
   accomodated with rooms and meals; an inn; a hotel;
   especially, in modern times, a public house licensed to sell
   liquor in small quantities.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tavern
    n 1: a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic
         drinks [syn: tavern, tap house]