nicanee
/ˌnɪkəˈniː/(also nicconee) Now historical
noun
A kind of textile formerly imported from India (perhaps a cheap striped calico); a piece of this. Usually in plural.
- The importation of nicanee was regarded as a threat to British manufacture, and it was therefore banned from commercial use in Britain from 1700..
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Bloudy Fight in France. Origin uncertain. Probably from a vernacular South Asian language, ultimately from Sanskrit nigama marketplace, market-town, fair, trade, merchant.