DCHP-3

papoose

< Algonk.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Spelling variants:
(older) pappoose, papouse

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

a child or baby of American Indian parents.

Quotations

1816
The Micmac Indians call a child papouse, a wife squaw, and a husband sanop.
1852
She had gone down to the spring for water, and on her return was surprised at the sight of a squaw and her family of three half-grown lads, and an innocent little brown papoose.
1963
The term papoose is commonly used among the natives to denote children of almost any age, but still I had expected a much younger patient.
2n.

a beaver cub; young beaver.

Quotations

1680
the Men imployed in Sorting the Beaver have found . . . 342 Stage Pappoes. . . .
1861
The beaver is a social kind of animal, living in communities or families, generally consisting of five--father, mother, and three "papouses" (so the young beavers are called).