\Tab"by\, n.; pl. {Tabbies}. [F. tabis (cf. It. tab[`i],
Sp. & Pg. tab['i], LL. attabi), fr. Ar. 'att[=a]b[=i],
properly the name of a quarter of Bagdad where it was made,
the quarter being named from the prince Attab, great grandson
of Omeyya. Cf. {Tobine}.]
1. A kind of waved silk, usually called {watered silk},
   manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The
   watering is given to it by calendering.

2. A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal
   proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry,
   this becomes as hard as rock. --Weale.

3. A brindled cat; hence, popularly, any cat.

4. An old maid or gossip. [Colloq.] --Byron.

\Tab"by\, a.
1. Having a wavy or watered appearance; as, a tabby
   waistcoat. --Pepys.

2. Brindled; diversified in color; as, a tabby cat.

{Tabby moth} (Zo["o]l.), the grease moth. See under {Grease}.

\Tab"by\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tabbied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Tabbying}.]
To water; to cause to look wavy, by the process of
calendering; to calender; as, to tabby silk, mohair, ribbon,
etc.