parfleche

American  

[pahr-flesh, pahr-flesh] / ˈpɑr flɛʃ, pɑrˈflɛʃ /

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.

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parfleche British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of parfleche

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

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Aug. 21, 2015

From a long parfleche sack the Raven chief took a slender stick, beautifully ornamented with many-colored feathers.

From Blackfeet Indian Stories by Grinnell, George Bird

The other old men who are to join them and the two medicinemen go in while the two women remain seated on a robe just west of it with the parfleche beside them.

From The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot Indians by Wissler, Clark

There were many parfleche bags piled around the tepee, and thinking he might find some kind of medicine roots which he could use to revive her he started opening them one after the other.

From Myths and Legends of the Sioux by McLaughlin, Marie L.

The parfleche of tongues and other paraphernalia are brought out by the attending women and put down beside the couple.

From The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot Indians by Wissler, Clark