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travois

noun tra·vois \ trə-ˈvȯi , ˈtra-ˌvȯi \

Definition of travois

plural travois also travoises play \trə-ˈvȯiz, ˈtra-ˌvȯiz\
: a simple vehicle used by Plains Indians consisting of two trailing poles serving as shafts and bearing a platform or net for the load

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Illustration of travois

illustration of travois

Origin and Etymology of travois

American French travail, from Canadian French, shaft of a cart, from Middle French traveil catafalque, prop, from Late Latin trepalium instrument of torture — more at travail

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  1. See words that rhyme with travois Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about travois

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