travois

American  

[truh-voi] / trəˈvɔɪ /

noun

plural

travois

1. a transport device, formerly used by the Plains Indians, consisting of two poles joined by a frame and drawn by an animal.

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travois British  

/ trəˈvɔɪ /

noun

1. a sled formerly used by the Plains Indians of North America, consisting of two poles joined by a frame and dragged by an animal

2. a similar sled used for dragging logs

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Etymology

Origin of travois

1840–50; pseudo-French spelling of earlier travoy < North American French; compare Canadian French travail shaft of a cart to which the horse is hitched, French: frame in which unruly horses are held while they are shod (probably < Late Latin trepālium; travail )

Example Sentences

In particular, a scene where Captain Henry and his men strap Glass' immobilized body to a travois and try to drag it up a steep, snow-slicked cliff recalls Fitzcarraldo in miniature.

From The Verge • Dec. 4, 2015

I was more than a little smug, trundling down the hill, helping to maneuver the weight of a full-grown buck on the travois we’d strapped together out of branches and sinew.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

The travois is made, painted red, and reserved for the special use of the medicine woman.

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

A tradition exists, that up to the time of the tribe’s advent into the northern country, their only beast of burden was the dog, which then carried their packs and hauled their travois.

From Pawnee Hero Stories and Folk-Tales With notes on the origin, customs and character of the Pawnee people by Grinnell, George Bird

Anoteelik and Mike preparing to bring in a load of caribou meat with dogs and travois.

From The Barren Ground Caribou of Keewatin by Harper, Francis