DCHP-1 Online
powahgen [< Algonk.] 
1 n. a spirit, especially an evil spirit.
- c1863 (1888) The pagan believes that his "Genius" instructs him in the hours of sleep, and the consequence is frequently awful. A Plain Cree, with whom I am acquainted, dreamed that his Puh-wah-gun, demanded three human victims, and he actually murdered three of his own tribe.
- 1939 They had powogans (evil spirits) cut out of bark, roots, metal and charms of every description.
- 1956 They believed that there was a spirit, called a po-wah-gen, in every animal and tree. . . .
2 n. a bag or pouch, often decorated with beadwork, used by the Indians to carry various objects believed to have magical powers in protecting the bearer from harm.
See also: medicine bag
- 1934 Still a pagan he worshiped his powargan, or medicine bag, the spirits in the woods and waterfalls around him, and appeased the evil manitous with offerings of tobacco and colored cloth. . . .
- c1863 (1888) The pagan believes that his "Genius" instructs him in the hours of sleep, and the consequence is frequently awful. A Plain Cree, with whom I am acquainted, dreamed that his Puh-wah-gun, demanded three human victims, and he actually murdered three of his own tribe.