Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Young Englishwoman. From French capitonné, use as adjective of past participle of capitonner to upholster, especially in a style which presents a quilted appearance, to pad from capiton silk or linen flock, sleave silk, particular style of upholstery from Italian †capitone irregularity in a silk thread, probably from classical Latin capit-, caput head + Italian -one.