hobnail

[ hob-neyl ]

/ ˈhɒbˌneɪl /

a large-headed nail for protecting the soles of heavy boots and shoes.

a small allover pattern consisting of small tufts, as on fabrics, or of small studs, as on glass.

Origin of hobnail

First recorded in 1585–95; hob¹ + nail

Mike, on the cricket field, could not have looked anything but a cricketer if he had turned out in a tweed suit and hobnail boots.

Mike |P. G. Wodehouse
I think they must have been born with boots on and,” conscious of the imprints of my shins, “hobnail boots at that.

Our Next-Door Neighbors |Belle Kanaris Maniates
Hobnail cutting, late 1830, so often confused with diamond cutting.

Old Irish Glass |Graydon Stannus
"I' faith, I never was so pricked by a hobnail before," growled Ben, with a surly smile.

Old and New London |Walter Thornbury

The hobnail heel-and-sole pattern is the correct article for use in swift-running water.

The Determined Angler and the Brook Trout |Charles Bradford

hobnail

/ (ˈhɒbˌneɪl) /

hobnailed, adjective

C16: from hob 1 (in the archaic sense: peg) + nail