Zamarra

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /zəˈmɑɹə/

Definitions

1. A woolen cloak commonly associated with shepherds that offers warmth in rural environments
2. A type of thick outerwear historically worn by shepherds for protection against cold weather
3. A heavy woolen garment traditionally worn by shepherds to provide insulation and shield against harsh outdoor conditions

Etymology: Spanish speakers borrowed this garment's name from the Basque "zamarra," which likely meant "sheepskin." The jacket was a sheepskin with the fleece left on, so the wool is the animal's own coat, worn inside out or with the fleece facing the body. The Basque link is the commonly accepted origin, though the exact Basque root is not firmly established. The word reached English through Spanish, and it stayed close to its original sense: a sturdy, practical coat for herding in cold, windy upland pastures. It is rarely used outside discussions of Spanish or Basque rural dress, so most English speakers meet it only in travel writing or museum captions.

Synonyms: sheepskin, sheepskin coat