The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Mauve \Mauve\ (m[=o]v), n. [F., mallow, L. malva. So named from
   the similarity of the color to that of the petals of common
   mallow, Malva sylvestris. See Mallow.]
   A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac.
   [1913 Webster]

   Mauve aniline (Chem.), a dyestuff produced artificially by
      the oxidation of commercial aniline, and the first
      discovered of the so-called coal-tar, or aniline, dyes. It
      consists of the sulphate of mauve["i]ne, and is a dark
      brown or bronze amorphous powder, which dissolves to a
      beatiful purple color. Called also aniline purple,
      violine, Perkin's mauve, etc.
      [1913 Webster]