1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Rug

RUG, a term of Scandinavian origin (cf. Swed. rugg, rough hair; Norw. dial. ragga, rough), and probably connected with “rough” and “rag,” originally for a kind of coarse woollen material, like frieze; hence it is used of a piece of thick material used as a wrap or covering for the knees or body in travelling or in bed, and especially for a thick mat or small-sized carpet laid on the floor (see Carpet).