In the cloth manufacturing industry, marengo usually refers to the color of the fabric and means black or dark brown with small inclusions of white.

[7] The name marengo appeared in Europe in the 18th century and meant a dark brown fabric with white speckles.

The fabric was initially produced in the village of Spinetta Marengo in northern Italy.

[8] After the Battle of Marengo of 14 June 1800, in which Napoleon Bonaparte's troops defeated the Austrian army, marengo became known as gray or black fabric with splashes of white or gray thread.

This color became associated with a gray overcoat that Bonaparte briefly brought into vogue.