1291, "coarse cloth;" 1345, "tablecloth, bedspread," from O.Fr.
carpite, from M.L.
carpita "thick woolen cloth," pp. of L.
carpere "to card, pluck," probably because it was made from unraveled, shreded, "plucked" fabric, from PIE
*kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest" (see
harvest). Meaning shifted 15c. to floor coverings. The verb meaning "to cover with a carpet" is from c.1626. From 16c.-19c. often with a tinge of contempt, when used of men (e.g.
carpet-knight, 1576) by assoc. with luxury, ladies' boudoirs, and drawing rooms.
Carpetbagger, scornful appellation for Northerners who went South after the Civil War seeking private gain or political advancement is first attested 1868, Amer.Eng., formed from
carpetbag (n.), 1830, a traveling bag made from carpet fabric.
On the carpet "summoned for reprimand" is 1900, U.S. colloquial. To
sweep (something) under the carpet in the fig. sense is first recorded 1963.
[kahr-pit] 
