burel

Definition

A coarse woolen cloth.

Etymology

From Middle English burel, burrel, borel, from Old French burel, diminutive of *bure (compare Middle French bure (“coarse woolen cloth”), French bourre (“hair, fluff”)), from Late Latin burra (“wool, fluff, shaggy cloth, coarse fabric”). Doublet of bureau, which was taken from later (early modern) French.

Example Sentences

• "Burels at this time seem to have been made in lengths of 20 ells and sold at 8d. the ell, while the better quality cloths - browns, plunkets, blues, and greens - were nearly twice the length, and cost about 22d. the ell."