DCHP-2

parka < Aleutian Esk. purka skin; outer coat < Russian "hide or pelt" < Samoyed DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 n. — North

  a hooded outer garment of fur or other material. [See picture at atigi (def. 2)].

  See also: atigi (def. 2)  parkee  amautik  packing parka  

  • 1784  [Their clothing is chiefly of Deer skins, with large hoods, made in the form of loose jackets, scarcely reaching lower than half the thigh; where it was almost met by a great wide-topped boot.]
  • 1852  English[,] Parka[:] Kutsutchewak, atkuk.
  • 1897  The women's parka differs slightly from that worn by the men, being cut up at the sides some ten inches and rounded at the bottom like a skirt.
  • 1913  During the early occupation of Alaska by Russian fur-traders, several words of Kamchatkan origin were introduced, and incorporated in the native languages, among them being parka. It should be pronounced párkī, but it being sanctioned by general use, I have retained the usual form.
  • 1936  At the north end of the street there was an Eskimo encampment on the sand pit, and men, women and children dressed in reindeer parkas and mukluks were loitering all over the streets.
  • 1966  [Headline] Parka is Baby-sitter for Eskimo Children.

• 2 n.

  a garment of wool, heavy cotton, nylon, etc. fashioned as a jacket or, less often, as a pullover, and usually shorter than the original Eskimo type.

  See also: capote (def. 1)  

  • 1897  The great charm about this particular outfit is that it is very warm--the parka is leather-lined--and really marvellously light.
  • 1910  Parka; a light, hooded, smock-like garment made of cotton drill.
  • 1965  One truly Canadian garment--a most practical one--is the parka, which originated centuries ago with the Eskimo.