-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LgNenwlizbQyPzMouM25RDVmNAHouDn9fksMV1HJuazBoaNyzV7xVbeIsSYLn2wX
 pED5p8J1x7f7sVsbOqdGPQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001219439-03-000001.txt : 20030516
<SEC-HEADER>0001219439-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030516
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030516164915
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001219439-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030516
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030516

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FITZSIMMONS JOHN A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001219439

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09548
		FILM NUMBER:		03708968

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 DOMAIN DR
		CITY:			STRATHAM
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03885

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TIMBERLAND CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000814361
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FOOTWEAR, (NO RUBBER) [3140]
		IRS NUMBER:				020312554
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 DOMAIN DR
		CITY:			STRATHAM
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03885
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6037729500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 DOMAIN DR
		CITY:			STRATHAM
		STATE:			NH
		ZIP:			03885
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

<issuer>        <issuerCik>0000814361</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TIMBERLAND CO</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>TBL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001219439</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FITZSIMMONS JOHN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>50.61</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-16</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>50.61</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-05-16</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-05-16</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common   Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>2500</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>2500</value>
            </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These stock options become exercisable in four (4) equal installments, commencing one (1) year after the date of grant.       </footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Danette Wineberg  For: John A. Fitzsimmons</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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