Long lace flounces at the lower end of the sleeve of female dress.
Engageantes had been worn tacked to the sleeves of the chemise since the 17th century and until long sleeves came into fashion in the 1770s. Depending on the wealth of the wearer, there were more or fewer layers; the nobility is often portrayed wearing 3 or 4 layers of closely gathered, fine lace.
Both shape and material varied over time: At first, needlepoint lace with straight edges was used, later (early century) bobbin lace and scalloped edges entered the picture, and around the middle of the century, lawn was also used.