\Gan\, imp. of {Gin}. [See {Gin}, v.]
Began; commenced.



Note: Gan was formerly used with the infinitive to form
      compound imperfects, as did is now employed. Gan
      regularly denotes the singular; the plural is usually
      denoted by gunne or gonne.

            This man gan fall (i.e., fell) in great
            suspicion.                         --Chaucer.

            The little coines to their play gunne hie (i. e.,
            hied).                             --Chaucer.

Note: Later writers use gan both for singular and plural.

            Yet at her speech their rages gan relent.
                                               --Spenser.