Where does the name gum boot come from?

The name "gumboot" originates from the use of rubber or gum (vulcanized rubber) in the manufacturing of these waterproof boots. The term is particularly common in South Africa, where gumboots are associated with miners and agricultural workers who needed durable footwear for wet conditions. Over time, the term has also come to encompass various styles of rubber boots used for farming and outdoor work.