1. coarse cotton or linen fabric, originally made in Osnabrück, Germany
Usage: historical; textile industry

Examples

• The plantation workers wore clothes made from osnaburgs.
• Osnaburgs were commonly used for work clothing in the 18th century.
• The merchant imported osnaburgs from German textile mills.
• Slaves were often given osnaburgs for their clothing allowance.
• The coarse osnaburgs provided durability for heavy labor.
• Colonial Americans used osnaburgs for sacks and rough garments.