The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rug \Rug\, n. [Cf. Sw. rugg entanglend hair, ruggig rugged, shaggy, probably akin to E. rough. See Rough, a.]
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A kind of coarse, heavy frieze, formerly used for garments.
They spin the choicest rug in Ireland. A friend of mine . . . repaired to Paris Garden clad in one of these Waterford rugs. The mastiffs, . . . deeming he had been a bear, would fain have baited him.
--Holinshed. A piece of thick, nappy fabric, commonly made of wool, -- used for various purposes, as for covering and ornamenting part of a bare floor, for hanging in a doorway as a poti[`e]re, for protecting a portion of carpet, for a wrap to protect the legs from cold, etc.
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A rough, woolly, or shaggy dog.
Rug gown, a gown made of rug, of or coarse, shaggy cloth.
--B. Johnson.