dekriet, noun

/ˈdekrit//ˈdɛkrit/
Forms:
Also dakriet.
Origin:
South African DutchShow more South African Dutch, dek to roof or cover (or dak roof) + riet reed.
Any of several species of grass-like reed of the Restionaceae, used for thatching. See also Tambookie noun sense 2.
[1656 J. Van Riebeeck Daghregister4 July450 bossen deckriet.]
1822 W.J. Burchell Trav. I. 26It is thatched with a very durable species of rush, peculiar to this part of the world, and which the Dutch call ‘Dak-riet’ (Restio tectorum).
1856 L. Pappe in Cape of G.H. Almanac & Annual Register 342Elegia nuda,..This useful reed (Thatching-reed, Dakriet), covers the sandy tracts of a great portion of the colony. Not only does it fix the otherwise shifting sand, but supplies the farmers with a most excellent material for roofing their houses.
1917 R. Marloth Dict. of Common Names of Plants 22Dakriet, Dovea tectorum...Other Restiaceae also employed for thatching are Thamnochortus spicigerus and Restio giganteus.
1951 L.G. Green Grow Lovely 164Most of the Cape Peninsula’s thatch is the pale yellow dekriet from the Riversdale and Albertinia dunes. Once looked upon as a dangerous weed, the dek-riet is now carefully preserved.
1966 C.A. Smith Common Names 196Dakriet, Various species of Restionaceae which are used for thatching...Dekriet, Chondropetalum tectorum...If properly thatched, a roof may last for more than twenty-five years. Several of the above species are also used for making yard and/or stable brooms.
1968 Farmer’s Weekly 3 Jan. 94Thatching Reed (Kaapse Dekriet) — For your roof order direct from producers. Small and large quantities.
1977 Evening Post 26 Mar. 3There are occasional patches of ‘dekriet’, the reed used for thatching.
1979 Farmer’s Weekly 11 Apr. 120Cape Dekriet (Thatching Reed) in full truck loads.
1985 B. Johnson-Barker in Wynboer June 72He remembered building it..: cutting the dekriet near to where three men now lay in the shade and circulated wine and wisdom.
Any of several species of grass-like reed of the Restionaceae, used for thatching.
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dekgras, nounn.dennebol, nounn.
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