DCHP-1 Online
feathers Esp. Maritimes 
n. pl. small branches, especially of evergreen trees.
- 1849 [On the ridge-pole] rested . . . other poles and on them were carefully disposed "hemlock feathers," or small branches of the hemlock-pine, broken off and laid like a thatch on the sloping roof of our wigwam. . . .
- 1945 . . . he washed the few dishes, stowed the food in the pack-sack and put it in the lean-to behind him. He cut an armful of spruce "feathers" and that sufficed for a mattress.
- 1849 [On the ridge-pole] rested . . . other poles and on them were carefully disposed "hemlock feathers," or small branches of the hemlock-pine, broken off and laid like a thatch on the sloping roof of our wigwam. . . .