Plural of duffle; coarse woolen fabrics with a thick nap, or cylindrical canvas bags used for carrying clothing and equipment.
From Dutch 'Duffel,' a town in Belgium known for producing this coarse cloth in the 17th century. The fabric became associated with sailors and soldiers who used it for durable clothing and gear. The word traveled through English and became a standard term for both the material and the travel bags made from it.
The word 'duffel' literally comes from a place name—Duffel, Belgium—which became so famous for making this particular kind of rough wool that the town's name became the fabric's name. It's like if Wisconsin became known worldwide for cheese and people started calling all cheese 'wisconsin!' This is called a toponym, and it happens surprisingly often in English.
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