ETYM French flanelle, cf. Old Fren. flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); from W. gwlanen flannel, from gwlan wool; prob. akin to Eng. wool. Related to Wool.
1. A soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing.
2. (Usually in the plural) Trousers; SYN. gabardine, tweed, white.
Woven woolen fabric with a napped (raised) surface, which gives it a warm, smooth appearance and obscures its underlying plain or twill cloth construction. It is used for suiting materials. The term is also used for a washing cloth of cotton towelling.