bur·lap (bûr'lāp') n. A strong, coarsely woven cloth made of fibers of jute, flax, or hemp and used to make bags, to reinforce linoleum, and in interior decoration.
1695, probably from M.E. borel "coarse cloth," from O.Fr. burel (see bureau); or Du. boeren "coarse," perhaps confused with boer "peasant." The second element, -lap, meaning "piece of cloth."