The term 'hooped petticoat' is a reference to a type of clothing item worn by women in the 19th century. It is also known as a crinoline, which is a nine-letter word that can be used to solve the crossword puzzle. The hooped petticoat was a skirt made of stiffened fabric that was supported by hoops or wires, giving it a bell-like shape. This style of skirt was popular during the Victorian era and was often worn with a corset.