flaps

Meanings

nounflaps pl (plural only)

archaicpluralplural onlyfarrieryA disease in the mouths of horses involving inflammation in the cheeks or lips.
Giges or flappes, is pimples or teates in the in side of his mouth.
1587, Leonard Mascall, The First Booke of Cattell, London: John Wolfe, page 163
4 more examples
If there be any ſvvelling betvveene the eares, it is a ſigne of the polle euil; ſvvelling under the eare, a ſigne of the vives; and ſvvelling in the mouth, a ſigne either of canker, flaps or lampaſſe.
1610, Gervase Markham, “Of the Signes of Sicknesse, and of what Nature it Consisteth”, in Markhams Maister-peece. Or, What doth a Horse-man Lacke. Containing All Possible Knowledge whatsoeuer which doth Belong to any Smith, Farrier, or Horse-leech, Touching the Curing of All Manner of Diseases or Sorrances in Horses; […], London: […] Nicholas Okes, and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson, […], →OCLC, 1st book (Containing All Cures Physicall, […]), page 32
Theſe Giggs, Bladders or Flaps, proceed either from eating too much Graſs, or that which is bad; or Hay or Provender that is rough and pricking.
1726, N. B. Philippos, The Farrier’s and Horseman’s Dictionary, London: J. Darby, page 247
The Flaps are a ſpungy, fleſhy, fungous ſubftance, ſituated juſt belovv the grinders on the lovver javv, adjoining the cheek, on the part vvhere the bit reſteth upon. The above is ſo troubleſome to a Horſe and ſo ſore, that he vvill often catch the Flaps betvveen his grinders, vvhich chafes him much, and prevents him to grind his food, and cauſes him to ſlaver and ſlober much.
1784, William Griffiths, A Practical Treatise on Farriery, Wrexham, Wales: R. Marsh, page 119
These likewise sometimes enlarge during catarrh or inflammation of the mouth, and are called gigs, and bladders, and flaps in the mouth.
1843, William Youatt, The Horse, London: Chapman & Hall, page 206