travois

American  

[truh-voi] / trəˈvɔɪ /

noun

• travois
  plural

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

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• travois
  plural

---

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; see travail)

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

travois

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

At noon, when they stop for lunch, the two are again seated on a robe, the travois unhooked and laid down before them.

From The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot Indians by Clark Wissler

Canvas and blankets were stretched across the space between; hereon one wounded man was laid, and what the Indians and plainsmen call a travois was complete.

From Campaigning with Crook and Stories of Army Life by Charles King

In a few minutes all the Pawnees had seized their bows and arrows, and were running toward him, and the women fixed the travois, and took their knives, and followed.

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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---