The word may be from the Spanish for flat-nosed.. nap or nappe-French word that means to completely coat food with a light, thin, even layer of sauce or a jelly. Napoleon pastry (nuh-POH-lee-uhn) - It is known as mille-feuilles in France.Outside of France it is known as Napoleon..t consists of layers of puff pastry interspersed with pastry cream or whipped cream and iced with fondant and chocolate or with confectioner's sugar. History: (1) It is believed to have been developed in France during the latter part of the 19th century.