/ ˈfɑːðɪŋgeɪl; NAmE ˈfɑːr-/ noun
in the past, a thick piece of material or set of large rings worn under a woman's skirt to give it a wide round shape
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (formerly also as vardingale ): from French verdugale , alteration of Spanish verdugado , from verdugo rod, stick, from verde green.