Trousse

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An item designed to hold clothing and accessories, often used in travel or storage
2. A small carrying case or container meant for personal belongings such as garments or shoes
3. A specialized case utilized for the organization and transport of clothing items during transit

Etymology: The word "trousse" entered English straight from French, where it had long meant a bundle or package, and it comes from the same Latin root that gave English "truss" and "torse." Its ancestors are verbs for tying up or binding, so the core idea is a parcel gathered and fastened together. "Torse" survives in heraldry for a twisted wreath or roll of cloth on a helmet, while "truss" kept the sense of a bundle bound tight, as in a bundle of hay or a support frame. In French, the bundled-up sense gave rise to a whole family of meanings, and English borrowed the form that suited a traveller's bag. A trousse is a compact case with pockets or compartments for small items, which is essentially a tied-up bundle that has been given a structure to hold things neatly. The word is a doublet of "torse" and "truss," meaning all three descend from the same source but reached English by different routes.

Synonyms: dowry, outfit, set