Drab (color)

Last updated October 11, 2022

Drab is a dull, light-brown color.^[1] It originally took its name from a fabric of the same color made of undyed, homespun wool. The word was first used in English in 1686.^[2] It probably originated from the Old French word drap, which meant cloth.^[1]

Drab (cloth)

Drab was a term used for cloths with specific colors such as dull browns, yellowish or gray. The Drab of heavy woolen was produced in Yorkshire, England. It was a thick, sturdy structure used for overcoating.^[6]^[7]

In military uniforms

Several shades of drab have been used for military uniforms, including the above-mentioned light-brown color. The greenish shades of drab, known as olive drab, were used as the colors of the U.S. Army uniforms and equipment during World War II.

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References

1 2 Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. 1982.
↑ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 194
↑ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 50
↑ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 199
↑ Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 204; Color Sample of Sand Dune: Page 47 Plate 14 Color Sample B5
↑ Fairchild's dictionary of textiles. Internet Archive. New York, Fairchild Publications. 1959. p. 189.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
↑ ltd, Chambers W. and R. (1867). Chambers's etymological dictionary of the English language, ed. by J. Donald. p. 140.

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[SOED-1] 1 2 Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. 1982.

[2] Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 194

[3] Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 50

[4] Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 199

[5] Maerz and Paul A Dictionary of Color New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 204; Color Sample of Sand Dune: Page 47 Plate 14 Color Sample B5

[6] Fairchild's dictionary of textiles. Internet Archive. New York, Fairchild Publications. 1959. p. 189.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

[7] td, Chambers W. and R. (1867). Chambers's etymological dictionary of the English language, ed. by J. Donald. p. 140.

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