Moccasin is a word originating in a Native American language, meaning a shoe made of deerskin or other soft leather. It is made in one piece; the sole is soft and flexible and the upper part is often adorned with embroidery, beading or other ornament. It is the footwear of the North American Indian tribes and is also worn by hunters, traders and settlers. There are many types of moccasins from different tribes. You can even tell a person's tribe just by looking at his footprint. Moccasins allow the wearer to feel the ground while offering protection. The Plains Indians had hard-sole moccasins because the ground they walked upon was rocky and there were occasional cactuses. The eastern tribes had soft-sole moccasins. These were perfect for walking on the leaf-covered ground in a forest. Moccasins are extremely light, allowing the wearer to be virtually soundless when walking.
In New Zealand and Australia sheep shearers make for themselves footware consisting of part of a cured sheepskin with the wool inside to use while working; these moccasins protect the feet, provide good grip on wooden floors and soak up the sweat of the wearer while not hurting the animal.
In the Auld Scots language a similar type of footwear was known as 'cossans'. 'Ma-cossans' meaning my shoes.
Source: Wikipedia / Encyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition
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