The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chafing \Chaf"ing\, n. [See Chafe, v. t.] The act of rubbing, or wearing by friction; making by rubbing.
Chafing dish, a dish or vessel for cooking on the table, or for keeping food warm, either by coals, by a lamp, or by hot water; a portable grate for coals.
Chafing gear (Naut.), any material used to protect sails, rigging, or the like, at points where they are exposed to friction.
Wiktionary
n. (context cookware English) Any of several devices, involving a pan and a heater, used to warm food at the table, or to keep it warm.
WordNet
n. a metal pan over a heater; used to cook or to keep things warm at the table
Wikipedia
A chafing dish (from the French chauffer, "to make warm") is a kind of portable grate raised on a tripod, originally heated with charcoal in a brazier, and used for foods that require gentle cooking, away from the "fierce" heat of direct flames. The chafing dish could be used at table or provided with a cover for keeping food warm on a buffet. Double dishes that provide a protective water jacket are known as bains-marie and help keep delicate foods, such as fish, warm while preventing overcooking.
Usage examples of "chafing dish".
From a chafing dish on the sideboard he took the first course: Elizabeth's favorite soup.
Then he arranged a copper chafing dish over a blue alcohol flame and began to stir in powders and crystals of bright colors.
The chafing dish that held the chops matched the set in color and in price.