parfleche < Cdn F parflèche < F parer parry + flèche arrow, from its use as a shield
1a n. a sheet of rawhide, especially buffalo hide, from which the hair has been removed.
See also: parchment def. 2
1b n. Figurative use.
2 n. a container made from a sheet of rawhide, usually buffalo hide, folded into a kind of envelope and laced to make an efficient bag.