Etymology: Probably < post-classical Latin carda (also cardum, cardeum) (frequently from mid 13th cent. in British sources), of unknown origin. Compare Anglo-Norman carde, karde (early 14th cent. denoting a type of fabric).

Etymology: Origin unknown.The origin and sense of this word are both unclear. It occurs in the regulations of the fullers' and weavers' guild of the city of Oxford, where it appears to refer to a type of journeyman that guild members were prohibited from taking into their homes (and perhaps by implication, from employing). Given the reference to fullers, it is possible that cardes here may be either a typographical error for carders carder n.¹ or a conversion of card v.¹ (although such a formation would be unusual). Alternatively, the apparent application of this word to tradespeople working in a particular city against guild regulations may suggest a possible connection with either cardower n. (which is used in a similar sense) or caird n. (compare nouns in Celtic languages cited at that entry). However, this presents geographical problems, since both of these are only attested later and in Scots.