The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fauteuil \Fau`teuil"\, n. [F. See Faldistory.]
   1. An armchair; hence (because the members sit in fauteuils
      or armchairs), membership in the French Academy.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Chair of a presiding officer.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fauteuil
    n 1: an upholstered armchair