DCHP-1 Online

moccasin [< Algonk.; cf. Ojibwa makisin]

• 1 † n. a flat-soled shoe of soft leather, originally worn by the Indians.

  See also: Indian moccasin  Indian shoe  Indian slipper  

  • Spelling variants in earlier writings are very numerous indeed: mackassin, mockison, mogison, mowkisin, etc.

  • 1765-75  (1933)  After smokeing they toock of my shoes and Put on me a pair of fine Mockasans or Leather shoes of thare One make Raught in a Cureas Manner. . . .
  • 1791  (1911)  We saw two Indians from the village of Lorette, who had mocassins to sell. . . .
  • 1825  Her dress was completed by a handsome pair of Mogasins, adorned with porcupine quills.
  • 1827  (1927)  Mogozeens, which are only worn by Canadians, are cheap.
  • 1965  There are no shops with . . . moccasins and totem poles and birchbark canoes. . . .

• 2 n. a simple leather or canvas bag tied on the feet of sled dogs to protect their paws.

  See also: dog moccasin  

  • 1867  I always put on the dog's mocassins (merely bags made of leather or stout hide) if I anticipate rough travelling.
  • 1903  Also, the dog-driver rubbed Buck's feet for half an hour each night after supper, and sacrificed the tops of his own moccasins to make four moccasins for Buck.
  • 1956  On rough ice in the spring, all dogs wear moccasins, but Bill had to wear them a lot of the time.

• 3 n. Obs. a type of knee-length waterproof boot made of sealskin.

  See also: kamik  

  • 1852  Next to india-rubber, seal-skin moccassins or boots suit very well; but only so long as the oil remains in the substance of the skin, after which they become as porous as ordinary leather.