Hessian Cloth
/ˈhɛsiən klɔːθ/noun
A coarse, strong fabric made from jute or similar plant fibers, commonly used for sacks and upholstery.
Did you know?The word “Hessian” originally referred to people from Hesse, including the German troops hired by Britain during the American Revolutionary War; the fabric name later came from cloth associated with that region.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*klaþō
“A woven or made cloth; the reconstructed ancestor of English cloth, though its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Old English
Old English
clāþ
“Cloth, fabric, or clothing material.”
Medieval German
Middle High German
Hesse
“The name of the central German region later rendered Hesse in English.”
18th Century
English
Hessian
“Relating to Hesse or its inhabitants; especially associated in Britain and America with troops from Hesse.”
19th Century
English
Hessian cloth
“Coarse woven fabric associated with Hesse and used for bags, sacks, and heavy-duty purposes.”
Modern English
English
Hessian cloth
“A common name, especially in British English, for jute-based burlap or similar coarse fabric.”