The fact of one thing resembling another so closely that it may cause confusion or ambiguity, especially with regard to potential infringement of a trademark.
Origin
Early 19th century.
Definition of colourable imitation in US English:
colourable imitation
(UScolorable imitation)
noun
The fact of one thing resembling another so closely that it may cause confusion or ambiguity, especially with regard to potential infringement of a trademark.