Roman History. Designating a type of coarse papyrus, chiefly used for wrapping goods.
The explanation found in Quincy's Lexicon Physico-medicum is not supported by other evidence..
Origin
Mid 18th century (in an earlier sense). From post-classical Latin emporeticus (636 in Isidore), variant of classical Latin emporīticus of or connected with commerce (in emporītica charta emporetic paper (Pliny)), ultimately from ancient Greek ἔμπορος merchant; compare -etic. A Greek form *ἐμπορητικός is not attested.