/nap"kin/ , n.
1. a small piece of cloth or paper, usually square, for use in wiping the lips and fingers and to protect the clothes while eating.
2. See sanitary napkin .
3. Chiefly Brit. a diaper.
4. Scot. and North Eng. a handkerchief.
5. Scot. a kerchief or neckerchief.
[ 1350-1400; ME, equiv. to nape tablecloth ( nappe mappa napkin) + -KIN; cf. MAP ]