DCHP-1 Online
bois de pelon Cdn French "bald wood" Obs. 
a small tree or shrub, Dirca palustris, having tough, pliant bark.
See also: leatherwood
- 1830 Leatherwood, Moosewood, Bois de pelon. A deciduous shrub. . . . The whole plant is remarkably pliable, and the bark so strong and flexible as to be frequently used for ligatures, and for straps to carry burdens; it is easily stripped off the plant its whole length when required for use; whence probably the name Bois de pelon, usually pronounced Bois de plumb.
- 1830 Leatherwood, Moosewood, Bois de pelon. A deciduous shrub. . . . The whole plant is remarkably pliable, and the bark so strong and flexible as to be frequently used for ligatures, and for straps to carry burdens; it is easily stripped off the plant its whole length when required for use; whence probably the name Bois de pelon, usually pronounced Bois de plumb.