Batiste. A variety of cotton muslin, having a good deal of dress, closely resembling lawn, the only difference being that batiste is slightly heavier, though in both materials the pattern is printed on in the same manner; used chiefly for summer dresses, lining and trimmings. Batiste is also the French name for cambric, a fine linen muslin made in France and used for dresses, linings and trimmings. The fabric derives its name from M. Baptiste a linen weaver of Cambray, Flanders, who invented it in the 13th century.