The term pelerine derives from the Italian word pellegrini and the cloak (pellegrina) worn by Christian pilgrims. Nowadays the term pellegrina (see wikipedia) is also widely used for an ecclesiastical garment in the form of a short, elbow length cape that is open at the front (the version that is closed is called a mozzetta). Compare the pope's pellegrina, which is also worn by British Catholic clergy.
See also the TRC Needles entry on a tippet.
Source: Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: ‘Pelerine’.
V&A online catalogue (retrieved 9th July 2016).
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