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Definition of pemican - 2 dictionary results

pem⋅mi⋅can

[pem-i-kuhn]
–noun
dried meat pounded into a powder and mixed with hot fat and dried fruits or berries, pressed into a loaf or into small cakes, originally prepared by North American Indians.
Also, pem⋅i⋅can.


Origin:
1735–45; < Cree pimihka⋅n, deriv. of pimihke⋅w he makes pemmican (mixing together the grease and other ingredients), he makes grease < Proto-Algonquian *pemihke⋅wa, equiv. to *pemy- grease + *-ehke⋅ make
pem·mi·can also pem·i·can   (pěm'ĭ-kən)   
n.  
  1. A food prepared by Native Americans from lean dried strips of meat pounded into paste, mixed with fat and berries, and pressed into small cakes.
  2. A food made chiefly from beef, dried fruit, and suet, used as emergency rations.

[Cree pimihkaam.]
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