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 ( 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 Sioux had parfleche soles to all their moccasins,” said John, wisely.

From The Young Alaskans on the Missouri by Hough, Emerson

Carson sprang over, clear across a place where the stream was compressed among rocks, but the parfleche sole of my moccasin glanced from the icy rock, and precipitated me into the river.

From The Life of Kit Carson Hunter, Trapper, Guide, Indian Agent and Colonel U.S.A. by Ellis, Edward Sylvester

The painted tongue and then the others are placed on the parfleche.

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