Broadcloth meaning

Most of their cotton knit nightshirts are solid-color pullover styles, while nightshirts made from fabrics like cotton, broadcloth or seersucker feature two or three button placket fronts in a wide range of plaids, stripes, and colors.

The weaving establishments (mainly broadcloth) of Leiden at the close of the 15th century were very important, and after the expulsion of the Spaniards Leiden cloth, Leiden baize and Leiden camlet were familiar terms. These industries afterwards declined, and in the beginning of the 19th century the baize manufacture was altogether given up. Linen and woollen manufactures are now the most important industries, while there is a considerable transit trade in butter and cheese.

From Mongolia come leather, saddlery, sheep and horses, with coral, amber and small diamonds from European sources; from Kham perfumes, fruits, furs and inlaid metal saddlery; from Sikkim and Bhutan rice, musk, sugar-balls and tobacco; from Nepal broadcloth, indigo, brasswork, coral, pearls, sugar, spices, drugs and Indian manufactures; from Ladak saffron, dried fruits and articles from India.

The manufacture of broadcloth, once of great importance, is almost extinct.

Trade in woolen broadcloth peaked in the reign of Mary I with 150,000 exported via London.