The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Herringbone \Her"ring*bone`\ (h[e^]r"r[i^]ng*b[=o]n`), a.
   Pertaining to, or like, the spine of a herring; especially,
   characterized by an arrangement of work in rows of parallel
   lines, which in the alternate rows slope in different
   directions.
   [1913 Webster]

   Herringbone stitch, a kind of cross-stitch in needlework,
      chiefly used in flannel. --Simmonds.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

herringbone
    n 1: a twilled fabric with a herringbone pattern
    2: a pattern of columns of short parallel lines with all the
       lines in one column sloping one way and lines in adjacent
       columns sloping the other way; it is used in weaving,
       masonry, parquetry, embroidery [syn: herringbone,
       herringbone pattern]