Hosiery
/ˈhoʊ.ʒər.i/noun
Clothing worn on the legs and feet, especially stockings, socks, and tights.
Did you know?In medieval and early modern England, hosiers were specialized makers and sellers of knitted or woven legwear, and the trade became influential enough to form organized guilds.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*husōn
“A covering or garment for the leg; the reconstructed ancestor of Germanic forms related to hose.”
Old English
Old English
hosa
“A covering for the leg, broadly referring to a stocking-like garment.”
Middle English
Middle English
hose
“A leg garment, often extending from the foot upward and commonly worn in pairs.”
15th–16th Century
English
hosier
“A maker or seller of hose.”
Late 16th Century
English
hosiery
“The trade, goods, or department associated with hose and other legwear.”
Modern English
English
hosiery
“Stockings, socks, tights, and similar garments considered collectively.”