Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Nankeen \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}.

Source : WordNet®

nankeen
     n : a durable fabric formerly loomed by hand in China from
         natural cotton having a yellowish color