Tabby, [From At-Tabi-Ya] a quarter in Bagdad, where it was first manufactured] A style of weaving which causes a watered or wavy appearance. The term is sometimes used in the sense of moire; formerly its use was restricted exclusively to woolen goods, while moire signified the watered appearance of silk goods. The tabbying of woolen fabrics is accomplished by the calender, without the use of water. The term "tabby cat" is derived from this fabric, the waved marking of the cat's fur being similar to the wavy appearance of the cloth. [See Moire, Watering]