Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), philosopher, economist, and advocate of women's rights. From French petite culture from petite, feminine of petit + culture.
Definition of petite culture in US English:
petite culture
nounpəˌtiːt kʌlˈt(j)ʊə
Small-scale farming.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), philosopher, economist, and advocate of women's rights. From French petite culture from petite, feminine of petit + culture.