Nankeen \Nan*keen"\, n. [So called from its being originally manufactured at Nankin, in China.]

[Written also nankin.]

1. A species of cloth, of a firm texture, originally brought from China, made of a species of cotton (Gossypium religiosum) that is naturally of a brownish yellow color quite indestructible and permanent.

2. An imitation of this cloth by artificial coloring.

3. pl. Trousers made of nankeen. --Ld. Lytton.

Nankeen bird (Zo["o]l.), the Australian night heron (Nycticorax Caledonicus); -- called also quaker.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)