Merino

[muh-ree-noh] /məˈri noʊ/

noun, plural merinos.
1.
(often initial capital letter) one of a breed of sheep, raised originally in Spain, valued for their fine wool.
2.
wool from such sheep.
3.
a yarn or fabric made from this wool.
adjective
4.
made of merino wool, yarn, or cloth.
/məˈriːnəʊ/
noun (pl) -nos
1.
a breed of sheep, originating in Spain, bred for their fleece
2.
the long fine wool of this sheep
3.
the yarn made from this wool, often mixed with cotton
4.
(Austral, informal) pure merino

adjective
5.
made from merino wool
n.

fine-wool breed of sheep, 1781, from Spanish merino, possibly from Arabic Merini, a Berber family or tribe of sheep farmers in northwest Africa whose animals were imported into Spain 14c.-15c. to improve local breeds. Or from or influenced by Latin majorinus, from major “greater,” either in reference to size of the animals or from Spanish derivative merino (n.) “overseer of cattle pastures,” also a title of judicial officers. Applied from early 19c. to the wool itself and to various articles made from it.