zughttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zug_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezug, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zugnoun

  1. 1899–
    The name (formerly proprietary) for a variety of waterproofed leather used esp. for the uppers of climbing boots.
    1. 1899
      Zug…222,699. Leather. W. & J. Martin, 63, Brunswick Street, Glasgow; Leather Merchants and Manufacturers.
      Trade Marks Journal 6 September 1092
    2. 1899
      W. &. J. Martin, tanners, curriers, and leather factors, Albion Leather Works... Sole makers of Zug leather. 63 Brunswick Street, Glasgow.
      Shoe & Leather Trader (Glasgow) 7 December p. ii (advertisement)
    3. 1900
      The firm made a speciality of ‘zug’ leather, a new production... The manufacture of ‘zug’ is an entirely new process. The leather..will not burn like ordinary leather, and the fibre cannot be destroyed even by boiling... In the process of manufacture, the gelatine of the hide becomes oxidised, and is rendered insoluble and repellant [sic] to water.
      Shoe & Leather Trader (Glasgow) 12 April 819/1
    4. 1907
      The leather for the uppers should be the best zug or chrome, soft and absolutely waterproof.
      G. D. Abraham, Complete Mountaineer iii. 29
    5. 1929
      Sports shoes, of pigskin, calf, crocodile, and zug.
      Footwear Organiser July 37/2
    6. 1933
      I would have soft, almost glove-like, zug or beaver leather for the uppers.
      G. D. Abraham, Modern Mountaineering x. 179

zug, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zug, n. was last modified in December 2024.