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parfleche

 - 3 dictionary results

par⋅fleche

  [pahr-flesh, pahr-flesh]
Use parfleche in a Sentence
–noun
1. a rawhide that has been dried after having been soaked in a solution of lye and water to remove the hair.
2. an article or object, as a case, pouch, etc., made of such rawhide.
Origin:
1820–30; < CanF parflèche, equiv. to F par(er) to parry (see para- 2 ) + flèche arrow
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To parfleche
par·fleche   (pär'flěsh')   
n.  

  1. An untanned animal hide soaked in lye and water to remove the hair and then dried on a stretcher.

  2. An article, such as a shield, made of this hide.


[Canadian French parflèche : French parer, to parry, defend; see parry + French flèche, arrow; see flèche.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

parfleche

tough, folded rawhide carrying bag made by the Plains Indians of North America; more loosely applied, the term also refers to many specialized rawhide articles. The Plains Indians had an abundant source of hides in the buffalo they hunted, but, as they were nomadic, they had little opportunity to tan the skins. Parfleche, or rawhide, was prepared by cleaning and dehairing the skin and then by stretching it and allowing it to dry in the sun. This process created a stiff but durable leather that was used for many items, including bags, thongs, and war shields

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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