European
corruption of Timur-i-Leng, an appellation of Timur (1335–1405),
Mongol conqueror and great-great-grandson of
Genghis Khan who conquered large parts of Russia,
Persia,
India and
central Asia. He was noted chiefly for his
savage exploits, despite his
promotion of
art and
science. "Timur-i-Leng" literally means "Timur the
Lame," a name he acquired as the result of arrow wounds received early in his career which
left him permanently
crippled.
—PDC Volume 3 Approved Glossary