Английский Этимологический словарь - poplin

- 1710, from Fr. papeline "cloth of fine silk," probably from Prov. papalino, fem. of papalin "of or belonging to the pope," from M.L. papalis "papal." The reference is to Avignon, papal residence during the schism 1309-1408 (and regarded as a papal town until 1791), which was also a center of silk manufacture. Influenced in Eng. by Poperinghe, town in Flanders where the fabric was made.