A linen cloth or band, historically used as a close-fitting head covering worn by women, particularly in medieval and Renaissance times.
From Old French 'courche,' possibly related to Latin 'concare' (to compress) or Germanic roots meaning 'to cover.' It evolved to describe fitted head wraps that kept hair secured.
The courche was the medieval equivalent of modern hair care—women wore them to keep elaborate hairstyles intact while sleeping, and they became fashionable enough to be embroidered with gold thread as status symbols.
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