What does rawhided mean?
Rawhide is leather made from animal hide that has not been fully tanned, most often the hide of cattle. Traditionally, rawhide was valued for its strength, toughness, and resistance to stretching, and it was used for belts, footwear, harnesses, and other durable goods. It can also refer to a whip made by braiding strips of rawhide. The word is especially associated with North American ranching, leathercraft, and Western traditions, although it is understood in British English as well. When used for finished leather goods, “rawhide” can emphasize the material’s natural, minimally processed character. It is less common in ordinary descriptions of ordinary leather than words such as “hide” or “leather,” and it can sound more specific or traditional.
nounLeather made from the untanned hide of an animal, especially cattle. The word can also refer to a whip made from braided rawhide.
- Untanned or minimally processed animal hide, especially cattle hide, used for making leather, footwear, belts, and other sturdy goods.
- A whip made from braided rawhide.
"The craftsman made a sturdy belt from rawhide."
"The workshop specializes in bags and belts made from rawhide."
"The rodeo rider carried a braided rawhide at his belt."
The plural is used for separate pieces of rawhide or for multiple rawhide goods.
"The trader inspected several rawhides before making a selection."
What looks like ordinary leather begins as rawhide: the animal's untanned skin, turned durable by tanning and often by braiding.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rawhided come from?
The English word “rawhide” was formed by combining “raw” with “hide.” “Hide” comes from Old English hyd, while “raw” developed from Old English hrāw through Middle English. The compound refers to hide that has not yet undergone the full tanning process, and the word also acquired the meaning of a braided rawhide whip.
Related word forms
How rawhided is actually used
The term is especially common in North American English for cattle hide and leather made from it. In British English, it is also understood, though less frequent in general use.