noun
mottled pattern; patchy pattern
Describes a surface with irregular spots or patches of different colors or shades, like the coat of an animal or a stained surface.
その猫は白と黒のまだら模様をしている。
That cat has a black-and-white mottled pattern.
壁にまだら模様の染みができてしまった。
A patchy stain has formed on the wall.
Compound of まだら (mottled, spotted) and 模様 (pattern, design). まだら is a native Japanese word of uncertain origin, possibly related to 斑 (still read まだら) meaning 'spots'.