worsted

Where does the word "worsted" come from? It comes from English Worstead, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Worsted’s story begins in English: Worstead meant “an English village name.” A village in Norfolk, England, once a center of fine wool weaving. It reached English by 1300s as worsted. Settled as the word for the smooth, tightly spun wool yarn from the village. Today, worsted means a smooth, compact wool yarn or fabric, tightly spun and woven.

1. Stage 1 · English · medieval Worstead "an English village name", a village in Norfolk, England, once a center of fine wool weaving.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s worsted "a smooth, tightly spun wool yarn or fabric", settled as the word for the smooth, tightly spun wool yarn from the village.