The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Chafe \Chafe\ (ch[=a]f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chafed
   (ch[=a]ft); p pr. & vb. n. Chafing.] [OE. chaufen to warm,
   OF. chaufer, F. chauffer, fr. L. calefacere, calfacere, to
   make warm; calere to be warm + facere to make. See
   Caldron.]
   1. To excite heat in by friction; to rub in order to
      stimulate and make warm.
      [1913 Webster]

            To rub her temples, and to chafe her skin.
                                                  --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate.
      [1913 Webster]

            Her intercession chafed him.          --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To fret and wear by rubbing; as, to chafe a cable.
      [1913 Webster]

            Two slips of parchment which she sewed round it to
            prevent its being chafed.             --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.

   Syn: To rub; fret; gall; vex; excite; inflame.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Chafing \Chaf"ing\, n. [See Chafe, v. t.]
   The act of rubbing, or wearing by friction; making by
   rubbing.
   [1913 Webster]

   Chafing dish, a dish or vessel for cooking on the table, or
      for keeping food warm, either by coals, by a lamp, or by
      hot water; a portable grate for coals.

   Chafing gear (Naut.), any material used to protect sails,
      rigging, or the like, at points where they are exposed to
      friction.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

chafing
    n 1: soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction