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babiche
[< Cdn F < Algonk.; cf. Micmac apapish cord or thread]
DCHP-3 (Jun 2024)
Spelling variants:babich, babish
1n.
strips of leather, or thongs, made from the hide of a moose, caribou, etc. used for laces, threads, netting, etc.
Type: 1. Origin — The term originates in northern North America.
New Zealand is not included in Chart 1, as the results most commonly refer to a person, rather than the material this entry is referring to.
New Zealand is not included in Chart 1, as the results most commonly refer to a person, rather than the material this entry is referring to.
Quotations
1683
[Pour coudre leurs souliers, ils ne se servent que de babiche. . . .]
1806
Will you be able to send me over some green skins for windows and Babich. . . .
1820
You will trade . . . the large Babiche for Pack cords. . . .
1948
Another important product of caribou skin is babiche, made from the dehaired hide. The skin is spread out flat and a long thong produced by cutting in a spiral, in a clockwise direction, starting from the edge.
1960
Indians . . . still look for babish, the moose hide thongs for sewing.
1997
I had a report that some anglers were fishing in Lake Superior Provincial Park on opening day, and they were, of course, not using snowmachines as these are prohibited within the park. I imagine they would find it wet and sticky going on snowshoes or skis when they go through the surface snow into the slush below. The wet slush sticks to the babiche lacing on snowshoes like glue, and increases each snowshoe's weight by about 30 pounds in one second! Not fun at all.
2011
Made from rawhide (often elk or deer), babiche is a durable type of string or cord used to weave or lace various objects, such as canoe seats, harpoon lines, bowstrings, lacrosse rackets, tumplines and headbands.
2n.
a rawhide whip.
Quotations
1942
Michael flicked his long babiche over the backs of his horses, while the waggon lurched and bumped over the corduroy. ...
References
- OED-3
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