a strip of pleated or frilled lawn, lace, etc, used to decorate blouses, dresses, etc, or worn around the neck like a small ruff as in the 16th century
Word origin
C19: from French, literally: beehive, from Medieval Latin rūsca bark of a tree, of Celtic origin
ruche in American English
(ruʃ)
noun
a fluting or pleating of lace, ribbon, muslin, net, etc. for trimming dresses, esp. at the wrist and neck
Word origin
Fr, lit., beehive < OFr rusche < Celt, as in Gaul rusca, bark (used for making beehives)