Probably from Old French 'burel' (coarse cloth) + 'lap' (fold)—the fabric of sacks and wrapping.
A coarse, heavy fabric woven from jute, hemp, or similar fiber, used for sacking and wrapping.
Of uncertain origin. The first element may be from Middle English 'burel, borel' (coarse cloth), from Old French 'burel' (coarse woolen cloth), from 'bure' (dark brown). The second element 'lap' may relate to a piece or fold of cloth. Key roots: bure (Old French: "coarse dark