worsted

Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English worstede, worsted, from Worstede (now Worstead; Old English *Wurϸestede), a town in Norfolk, England.

noun

1. (textiles) Yarn made from long strands of wool.
   An old set-stitched chair, valanced and fringed around with party-coloured worsted bobs, stood at the bed’s head opposite to the side where my father’s head reclined. 1761, Laurence Sterne, chapter 29, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume III
   […] the kitten had been having a grand game of romps with the ball of worsted Alice had been trying to wind up, and had been rolling it up and down till it had all come undone again […] 1871, Lewis Carroll, chapter 1, in Through the Looking-Glass
2. The fine, smooth fabric made from such wool yarn.

Etymology 2

Participle adjective of the verb worst.

verb

1. simple past and past participle of worst

adj

1. Defeated, overcome.
   The army was worsted in battle.