burlap

Pronunciation: /ˈbɝlæp/

The English word “burlap” has 2 meanings listed here.

noun

A very strong, coarse cloth, made from jute, flax, or hemp, and used to make sacks, etc.

verb

To wrap or cover in burlap.

Etymology

Uncertain. Attested since about 1695 in the spelling bore-lap, borelapp. Likely from burel (“a coarse woollen cloth”) + lap (“flap of a garment”), where the first element is from Middle English burel, borel. Others feel that "its character and time of appearance makes a Dutch origin very likely" (and the earliest references as to its importation from the Netherlands); the NED suggests derivation…

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