DCHP-1 Online
neaps [< Cdn F nippes < F " old clothes"] 
n. pl. pieces of duffle, animal fur, etc. put round the feet as protection against the cold. Also nippes.
See also: duffle neap nipper ((1))
- 1634 (1858) [. . . pour les garnir centre le froid, ils se seruent ordinairement d'vne peau de Lieure, ou d'vne piece de quelque couuerture, pliée en deux et trois doubles. Ils mettant auec cela du poil d'Orignac.]
- 1820 (1922) [The long soft hair [of the buffalo], the natives put into their shoes, about their feet, which supplies the place of socks; and it is fully as warm.]
- 1860 (1956) In the severe cold the "nippes" can be introduced into the mocassins to keep the feet warm more easily than in our unyielding boots.
- 1941 Neaps--Strips of duffle wound around the feet next to the skin, which snowshoers prefer to woollen socks, as the skin is not chafed and the strips are more easily dried before the camp fire.
- 1634 (1858) [. . . pour les garnir centre le froid, ils se seruent ordinairement d'vne peau de Lieure, ou d'vne piece de quelque couuerture, pliée en deux et trois doubles. Ils mettant auec cela du poil d'Orignac.]