cowhide

[ kou-hahyd ]

noun

1. the hide of a cow.
2. the leather made from it.
3. a strong, flexible whip made of rawhide or of braided leather.
4. cowhides, Informal. a pair of boots or shoes, especially those made of cowhide.

verb (used with object)

, cow·hid·ed, cow·hid·ing.

1. to whip with a cowhide.

cowhide

/ ˈkaʊˌhaɪd /

noun

1. the hide of a cow
2. the leather made from such a hide

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowhide¹

First recorded in 1630–40; cow ¹ + hide ²

Example Sentences

In Cortez’s hands, latex becomes printed as leopard and cowhide, it becomes evening wear, sportswear or business casual — from a football tank to a floor-length dress to a blazer.

From Los Angeles Times

He instructed his overseers to use a cowhide to whip or beat servants who were rude or misbehaved in some way.

From Literature

Models — male and female — strutted down the runway in leather cowboy hats, cowhide valises, and checkered denim jackets adorned with bull badges, their cowboy boots boasting shiny metal points.

From Seattle Times

They had blond, brown, and red hair, large noses, and wore bright, sometimes elaborate clothing fashioned from wool, furs, or cowhide.

From National Geographic

We all slept out under the stars in the cattle camp—no bed, just a cowhide spread on bare soil.

From Literature