Main Entry: che·nille

Pronunciation: \shə-ˈnēl\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, literally, caterpillar, from Latin canicula, diminutive of canis dog; from its hairy appearance — more at hound

Date: circa 1739

1 : a wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with protruding pile; also : a pile-face fabric with a filling of this yarn
2 : an imitation of chenille yarn or fabric