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patrin

noun
pat·rin | \ˈpa‧trə̇n\
variants: or patteran \ˈpatərən \
plural -s

Definition of patrin 

: a handful of leaves or grass thrown down at intervals by gypsies to indicate their course

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History and Etymology for patrin

Romany patrin, literally, leaf, from Sanskrit patra wing, feather, leaf; akin to Sanskrit patati he flies

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