a. A neckcloth; (originally) a long, narrow piece of linen, muslin or other fine cloth, sometimes with lace at either end, worn around the neck and either tied under the chin in a knot or bow with long flowing ends, or secured with a ribbon (cf. cravat string n. at Compounds 2); (later) a neckerchief or broad necktie, usually of linen, cotton, or silk, sometimes fastened with a bow or pinned, and often worn over the top of a high collar.The cravat is generally considered to have come into vogue in France in the 17th cent. in imitation of the linen scarf worn by Croatian mercenaries. Although primarily an item of men's clothing it was originally also worn by women. In modern use the term is usually applied either to a broad band of fabric (often colourful and highly patterned) worn around the outside of the collar, knotted or pinned in front, and typically forming part of a man's smart or formal outfit, or to a similar garment worn more casually, inside the collar of an open-necked shirt.

b. As an item of female dress: a decorative band, necklet, or scarf worn around the neck. Now historical.