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A 'pea coat' or 'pea jacket' is an outer coat, generally of a navy-colored heavy wool, originally worn by sailors of European navies. Peacoats are characterized by broad lapels, double-breasted fronts, often large wooden buttons, and vertical or slash pockets. In Britain, the coat is sometimes called a 'reefer jacket' and was used by the Royal Navy. In the Belgian Navy, it is known as 'pilot jacket'.
The name "Pea Coat" has its origins in the Dutch or Frisian word ''pij'' for a type of cloth. The terms peacoat and peajacket were first used in the eighteenth century. The OED has the first mention of "peajacket" in 1717. They were also commonly called "pilot coat" through the 19th century.
Peacoats are a form of apparel associated with sailors, both merchant and navy.
These double-breasted, navy blue worsted wool overcoats began to be used by US Navy in the early 20th century.
Today the style is considered a classic, and peacoats are now worn by all manner of individuals, not just professional sailors.
Note that few of the jackets seen on the street are genuine navy surplus; being a classic garment, it is frequently available from retailers in the USA, though often with small design changes that reflect the current tendencies of the day.
An officer's version of the coat, known as a reefer, is similar except the plastic buttons are replaced by gold-colored metal uniform buttons, and shoulder epaulets are sewn in for the acceptance of slide-on rank insignia.
The "bridge coat," resembles the pea coat in basic layout, except that the jacket is longer in length, reaching down halfway to the thighs, is worn by chief petty officer and officer.

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★ Random House Definition

★ American Heritage Dictionary Definition