Also 8 falbeloe, fallbullow. [Falbala, a word found in several Romance languages from the 17th c. downwards; origin unknown. Cf. FURBELOW.] A trimming for women’s petticoats, scarves, etc.; a flounce, furbelow. Also attrib.
1704. Cibber, Careless Husband, I. I have had as many blue and green Ribbons after me, for ought I know, as would have made me a Falbala Apron.
1713. Steele, The Guardian, No. 171, 26 Sept., ¶ 1. I have saved them some pounds in the year, by freeing their fulbelows, flounces, and hoops from the annoyance both of hilt and point.
1859. Thackeray, The Virginians, xxxii. The girls went off straightway to get their best … falbalas.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XX. v. I have got my face wrinkled like the falbalas of a petticoat.
