chenille

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: che=nille

CIDE DICTIONARY

chenille, n. [F., prop., a caterpillar.].

 Tufted cord, of silk or worsted, for the trimming of ladies' dresses, for embroidery and fringes, and for the weft of Chenille rugs.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

chenille, n.
1 a tufty velvety cord or yarn, used in trimming furniture etc.
2 fabric made from this.

Etymology

F, = hairy caterpillar f. L canicula dimin. of canis dog