TORTOISESHELL

I. noun Date: 1632 the mottled horny substance of the shell of the hawksbill turtle used especially formerly in inlaying and in making various ornamental articles, any of several showy nymphalid butterflies (genera Nymphalis and Aglais ), II. adjective Date: 1651 made of or resembling ~ especially in mottled brown and yellow coloring , of, relating to, or being a color pattern of the domestic cat consisting of patches of black, orange, and cream