parfleche

[ pahr-flesh, pahr-flesh ]

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.

parfleche

/ ˈpɑːflɛʃ /

noun

1. a sheet of rawhide that has been dried after soaking in lye and water to remove the hair
2. an object, such as a case, made of this

Word History and Origins

Origin of parfleche¹

1820–30; < Canadian French parflèche, equivalent to French par ( er ) to parry ( para- ² ) + flèche arrow

Word History and Origins

Origin of parfleche¹

C19: from Canadian French, from French parer to ward off, protect + flèche arrow

Example Sentences

They join the expanding category of 18th and 19th-century geometric abstraction of the West, whose achievements include Amish quilts, Navajo blankets and the parfleche rawhide containers of the Plains Indians, made of elegantly thin leather and usually painted by women.

From New York Times

Young museum visitors can take part in hoop throws, ring and pin games and round dances; make felt horses and pony bead bracelets; decorate a model of a parfleche, or rawhide carrying case; hear tales in a teepee; and learn about the importance of bison to the Plains Indians.

From New York Times

She won the best in class for youth for her painted parfleche purse.

From New York Times

Parfleche, p�r-flesh′, n. rawhide of buffalo-skin stripped of hair and dried on a stretcher: a wallet, tent, &c. of such material.

From Project Gutenberg

Catlin 168 54. a, Arikara rake. b, Arikara hoe. c, Crow parfleche box 178 55.

From Project Gutenberg