1 : to become irritated or impatient Some of the guests chafed at the sleeping arrangements. 2 : to rub so as to wear away or make sore Chains chafed the skin of the animal's legs.

Is it chafing or chaffing?

verb (used with object), chafed, chaf·ing. to wear or abrade by rubbing: He chafed his shoes on the rocks. to make sore by rubbing: Her collar chafed her neck.

Is chafing a medical term?

A superficial inflammation that develops when skin is subjected to friction from clothing or adjacent skin. This may occur at the axilla, groin, or anal region, between digits of hands and feet, or at the neck or wrists. Erythema, maceration, and sometimes fissuring occur.