Buckskin

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. soft tanned leather from deer or sheep hides, historically valued for garments and other items, or the muted tan-yellow hue of such material
2. leather produced from deerskin or sheepskin characterized by its softness and durability, traditionally employed in apparel and gear, alongside the pale yellowish-brown shade it naturally displays
3. A smooth, pliable leather derived from the hides of deer or sheep used in clothing and accessories ; a gentle yellow-brown tint similar to the natural shade of such leather

Etymology: Buckskin is a plain compound: "buck" (a male deer) plus "skin." The word was already in use in Middle English as "bukskyn," so its origin lies in the everyday fact that a buck's hide was a valuable source of soft leather. Over time the term came to name the leather itself rather than the animal's skin in particular, and that sense is the one still in use. The compound is a good example of how English often names a material by its source. Other leathers are named for their origin or tanning method, but buckskin keeps the plain description of the animal, which is why the word still reads as literal today.

Synonyms: deerskin, leather