Dictionary entry

Farthingale

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Far″thin‐gale (?), n. [OE. vardingale, fardingale, fr. OF. vertugale, verdugade, F. vertugade, vertugadin, from Sp. verdugado, being named from its hoops, fr. verdugo a young shoot of tree, fr. verde green, fr. L. viridis. See Verdant.] A hoop skirt or hoop petticoat, or other light, elastic material, used to extend the petticoat.

We'll revel it as bravely as the best,...

With ruffs and cuffs, and farthingales and things. Shak.