Jerkin
/ˈdʒɜːr.kɪn/noun
A close-fitting sleeveless jacket or outer garment, especially for men.
Did you know?Jerkin is ultimately from a diminutive of the name Jerk/Jack-like forms in Dutch and Germanic usage, showing how personal names could mutate into clothing terms in early modern Europe.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
Dutch
jurk
“A coat or frock; later a dress in modern Dutch”
16th Century
Middle Dutch
jurkin
“A short jacket or coat”
16th Century
English
jerkin
“A close-fitting sleeveless jacket”
Modern English
English
jerkin
“A sleeveless jacket or historical garment”
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