camlet

Where does the word "camlet" come from? It comes from Arabic khamlat, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Camlet’s story begins in Arabic: khamlat meant “woolen plush cloth.” Described the nap or pile of a plush woven cloth. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Old French as camelot. Folk etymology tied the fabric's name to "camel," as if woven from camel hair. It reached English by 1300s as camlet. Entered English as a prized import fabric from the Levant. Today, camlet means a historic woven fabric, originally of camel or goat hair and later of wool and silk, used for cloaks and coats.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval khamlat "woolen plush cloth", described the nap or pile of a plush woven cloth.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1200s camelot "fine woven fabric", folk etymology tied the fabric's name to "camel," as if woven from camel hair.
3. Stage 3 · Middle English · 1300s camlet "fine goat-hair or wool fabric", entered English as a prized import fabric from the Levant.