What is "chammy"

Chamois \Cham"ois\ (sh[a^]m"m[y^] or sh[.a]*moi"; 277), n. [F. chamois, prob. fr. OG. gamz, G. gemse.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A small species of antelope ( Rupicapra tragus), living on the loftiest mountain ridges of Europe, as the Alps, Pyrenees, etc. It possesses remarkable agility, and is a favorite object of chase.

2. A soft leather made from the skin of the chamois, or from sheepskin, etc.; -- called also chamois leather, and chammy or shammy leather. See Shammy.

n. a soft suede leather formerly from the sheep of the chamois antelope but now from sheepskin [syn: chamois, chamois leather, chammy leather, shammy, shammy leather]