Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BARREN
I. adjective
Etymology: Middle English bareine, from Anglo-French barain, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Welsh brynar fallow land
Date: 13th century
not reproducing: as, incapable of producing offspring, not yet or not recently pregnant, habitually failing to fruit, not productive: as, producing little or no vegetation ; desolate , producing inferior crops , unproductive of results or gain ; fruitless , devoid , lacking, lacking interest or charm , lacking inspiration or ideas , see: bare barrenly adverb barrenness noun
II. noun
Date: 1651
an extent of usually level land having an inferior growth of trees or little vegetation, a tract of barren land