Final answer:
A Catalog Item variable is a customizable field in a service catalog system that gathers specific information from the consumer to qualify their product or service selections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of a Catalog Item variable in the context of a service catalog system, like the one often found in IT service management platforms, is to allow the customer or consumer to qualify their answer when selecting a service or product. This means that the variable acts as a customizable field that can be used to gather additional, specific information from the user about their requirements or preferences. For example, a catalog item variable could be used to select the color of a laptop when ordering IT equipment, or to specify the size of a T-shirt when purchasing company merchandise.