The jerkin's origin is one of fashion etymology's unsolved mysteries — it may come from Dutch jurk (dress), making it literally a "little frock" for men.
A sleeveless, close-fitting jacket, typically made of leather, worn by men from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Origin uncertain. Possibly from Dutch jurk (frock, dress) or its diminutive jurkje, or from Middle Dutch jurk (tunic). The -kin suffix may be a diminutive ending, common in Dutch and Low German. Some scholars have proposed a connection to Spanish jubón or Old French jupon (a close-fitting garment). Key roots: jurk (Dutch (uncertain): "tunic, frock").
The jerkin was the essential outer garment of the Elizabethan gentleman, worn over the doublet to provide a sleeveless, close-fitting layer that showed off the elaborate sleeves beneath. Leather jerkins were especially popular because they offered practical protection while riding or fighting. Shakespeare mentions jerkins multiple times — in The Tempest, Trinculo describes