cuirbouly

On their backs they wear armour of cuirbouly prepared from buffalo and other hides, which is very strong.

1871, “Concerning the Tartar Customs of War”, in Henry Yule, transl., The Book of Ser Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East, volume I, London: John Murray, page 228

Note in (A) the curious leather gauntlets, the plate (or cuirbouly) knee guards and the tall open helmet (bascinet).

1931, Dorothy Hartley, Mediæval Costume and Life: A Review of Their Social Aspects Arranged Under Various Classes and Workers with Instructions for Making Numerous Types of Dress, page 52

Although the sleeved Haubergeon persisted in use, there are indications that independent pieces of mail attached to the acketon and hose were beginning to be used, instead of the complete coat of mail, wherever the cuirbouly or “white” harness left the joints exposed:[…]

1931, Francis M[ichael] Kelly, Randolph Schwabe, “ii. “Mixed” Armour (Late Period, 1350–1400)”, in A Short History of Costume & Armour, Chiefly in England, volumes I (1066–1485), Benjamin Blom, Inc., published 1968, →LCCN, part II (Armour), page 66

‘[…] I’ll have you each fitted with a cuirbouly.’ So we were each fitted with a cuirbouly. A yak was killed, the leather boiled till soft then fitted to our chests and left to harden in the sun.

2009, David Foster, Sons of the Rumour, Picador, page 87