kaross

plural karosses

1. South AfricaA treated animal-skin cloak or blanket with the hair still left on.

   In South Africa, where the caracal abounds, its hide is made by the Kaffres into skin cloaks, known as karosses.

   1878, "The Caracal" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. V, p. 81

   3 more examples

   The wants of a native living with his tribe and cultivating mealies or Kafir corn are confined to a kaross (skin cloak) or some pieces of cotton cloth.

   1897, James Bryce, Impressions of South Africa, page 90

   “Our bedroom had a sweeping view of the water and clean sheets and towels had been laid out for us on a kaross of jackal pelts.”

   1992, Mark Owens et al., Cry of the Kalahari, →ISBN

   “For the first two years, of life a baby was carried in a carrier, lined with absorbent grass, inside her kaross, (a treated animal skin made into a cape...)”

   1996, E Hausen, Human History at the Crossroads: Where Do We Go from Here?, →ISBN