cravat
UK /kɹəˈvat/ · US /kɹəˈvæt/ noun, verb
Forms cravats cravatting cravatted
- noun A wide fabric band worn as a necktie by men having long ends hanging in front.
- noun (historical) A decorative fabric band or scarf worn around the neck by women.
- noun (surgery) A bandage resembling a cravat, particularly a triangular bandage folded into a strip.
- verb (transitive, rare) To adorn with a cravat; to tie a cravat, or something resembling a cravat, around the neck.
Etymology
From French cravate, an appellative use of Cravate (“Croat”), from Dutch Krawaat, from German Krawatte, from Serbo-Croatian Hr̀vāt/Хр̀ва̄т (“Croat”). The cravat is regarded as originating from a linen scarf worn by Croatian mercenaries which was adopted into French fashion in the 17th century. Doublet of Croat.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [F. cravate, fr. Cravate a Croat, an inhabitant of Croatia, one of a body of Austrian troops, from whom, in 1636, this article of dress was adopted in France.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “cravat”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details