DCHP-1 Online

pichou -x or -s. pechause, peeshew, peshew, peshoo, pichew, etc. [< Cdn F < Algonk.; cf. Cree peshewah]

• 1 n. a North American wildcat, Lynx canadensis, having prominently tufted ears, large cushioned paws, and a black tail-tip.

  See also: Canada lynx  

  • 1743  (1949)  Catt's are a fierce creature to Look at, and about as big as a small sheep . . . they style these (peshue). . . .
  • 1836  Now Peeshew is the Cree name for a lynx or cat, and the lake in question is accordingly marked on the map as Cat Lake.
  • 1896  They should have been at their maximum during the winter of 1893-4 but in the Great Slave Lake region, where I then was, the "pishew" or "link" was by no means common.
  • 1911  True to their religion, the half-breeds seized their rifles, the bullets whistled harmlessly about the "Peshoo"--whereupon he turned and walked calmly up the slope, stopping to look at each fresh volley, but finally waved his stumpy tail and walked unharmed over the ridge.

• 2 n. the fur of the Canada lynx.

  • 1786  (1918)  Exports [included] . . . Kitts 296, Pichoux 882. . . .
  • 1806  (1930)  They brought 22 Beaver skins carcassause and six Pechause belonging to the chief. . . .