What is the origin of the idiom "cut and dried" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "cut and dried" can be traced back to the practice of cutting and drying herbs or plants for specific purposes. In agriculture and herbal medicine, plants are harvested, cut into appropriate sizes, and then dried for usage in various applications. It was eventually adopted metaphorically to describe situations or decisions that are already prepared or settled, much like the finished process of cutting and drying plants. It is often used in discussions or descriptions of processes, policies, rules, or outcomes that are predetermined or firmly established, leaving little room for debate or further consideration.