Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Chauvinism \Chau"vin*ism\, n. [F. chauvinisme, from Chauvin, a
   character represented as making grotesque and threatening
   displays of his attachment to his fallen chief, Napoleon I.,
   in 1815.]
   Blind and absurd devotion to a fallen leader or an obsolete
   cause; hence, absurdly vainglorious or exaggerated
   patriotism. -- {Chau"vin*ist}, n. -- {Chau`vin*is"tic}, a.

   Note: To have a generous belief in the greatness of one's
         country is not chauvinism. It is the character of the
         latter quality to be wildly extravagant, to be fretful
         and childish and silly, to resent a doubt as an insult,
         and to offend by its very frankness. --Prof. H. Tuttle.

Source : WordNet®

chauvinism
     n 1: fanatical patriotism [syn: {jingoism}, {superpatriotism}, {ultranationalism}]
     2: activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over
        women [syn: {male chauvinism}, {antifeminism}]