jerkin

Meanings

1. A type of men's garment popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: a close-fitting collarless jacket, with or without sleeves.
2. A sleeveless jacket, usually leather; a long waistcoat.

1. Alternative form of gyrkin.

Etymology

First recorded in early 1500s. Possibly related to Dutch jurk (“dress”), itself of unknown origin and not attested before the 17th century. Derivation from Old French jo(u)rne (“day”) has been suggested.