from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rug \Rug\, n. [Cf. Sw. rugg entanglend hair, ruggig rugged,
shaggy, probably akin to E. rough. See {Rough}, a.]
1. A kind of coarse, heavy frieze, formerly used for
garments.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. 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.
[1913 Webster]
3. A rough, woolly, or shaggy dog.
[1913 Webster]
{Rug gown}, a gown made of rug, of or coarse, shaggy cloth.
--B. Johnson.
[1913 Webster]