Definition of jute

The origin of the word "jute" can be traced back to the Bengali word "jhuta" meaning "eggshell". This is because the earliest method of separating the jute fiber from the stem required soaking the stems in water and then rubbing them to extract the fibers, which resulted in a substance similar in texture to an eggshell. The first recorded use of the English word "jute" may have been in 1770 by the English botanist and explorer, William Roxburgh. He encountered the jute plant while working in the families of plantations in Bengal (present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal) and referred to it as "jhutti" in his book, "Flora Indica". The name "jute" gradually became more common in English as the plant gained commercial significance in the 19th century. The British textile industry, in particular, became interested in jute as a substitute for soft wheat, which was in short supply during the Napoleonic Wars. Jute fibers were found to be strong, durable, and suitable for making a wide range of products, including burlap bags, carpets, and clothing. The word "jute" derives from the Bengali "jhuta", but the exact way in which this name was adopted in English is unclear. William Roxburgh's spelling "jhutti" may have influenced how the word was pronounced and spelled in English. Over time, the word passed through various forms, including "joot" and "jutee", before settling on the modern English spelling "jute". Overall, the origin of the word "jute" serves as a fascinating linguistic and historical trails of the plant's journey from its Bengali roots to its global significance in the textile industry.