[mack.i.naw] n [Mackinaw (Mackinac), trading post at site of Mackinaw City, Michigan] (1836) 1: a heavy woolen blanket formerly distributed by the U.S. government to the Indians
2. a: a heavy cloth of wool or wool and other fibers often with a plaid design and usu. heavily napped and felted b: a short coat of mackinaw or similar heavy fabric