DCHP-1 Online

babiche babich, babish [< Cdn F < Algonk.; cf. Micmac apapish cord or thread]

• 1 n. strips of leather, or thongs, made from the hide of a moose, caribou, etc. used for laces, threads, netting, etc.

  See also: battiche  iron of the country  Northland string  shaganappi ((n.)) (def. 1)  

  • 1683  [Pour coudre leurs souliers, ils ne se servent que de babiche. . . .]
  • 1806  (1960)  Will you be able to send me over some green skins for windows and Babich. . . .
  • 1820  (1938)  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.

• 2 n. a rawhide whip.

  • 1942  Michael flicked his long babiche over the backs of his horses, while the waggon lurched and bumped over the corduroy. ...