Brown was beaten (6)
I believe the answer is:
tanned
This clue is a double definition.
'brown' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'beaten' is the second definition.
(to tan is to beat as a punishment)
'was' is the link.
(Other definitions for tanned that I've seen before include "With browned skin" , "Bronzed" , "Brown from sunbathing" , "Brown; severely beaten" , "Browned in the sun" .)