\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}.