matjiestou, noun
- Forms:
- Show more Formerly also matchetoe, matchetoo, matchetow.
- Origin:
- Afrikaans, South African DutchShow more Afrikaans, from South African Dutch matje little mat + linking phoneme (or plural) -s- + touw rope.
historical
Rope made from the culms of the reed Cyperus textilis (see matjiesgoed sense a), formerly used for tying or binding thatch.
1839 T. Shone Diary. 11 Jan.I was not long thatching before my Matchetow was done. And I was obliged to leave off and go in search of more matchetow.
1973 M.A. Cook Cape Kitchen 19Lashing made of a small rush Cyperus textilis, i.e. matjiesgoed; when beaten, softened and slightly twisted to a string-like consistency, it was known as matjiestou.
Rope made from the culms of the reed Cyperus textilis (see matjiesgoed sense a), formerly used for tying or binding thatch.
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