1. Plural of cowskin; leather made from the hide of a cow.
Usage: Usually used in the plural or as a mass noun when referring to the material itself.
2. Plural of cowskin; whips or straps made from cowhide, historically used for punishment or driving cattle.
Usage: Archaic or historical usage; often associated with corporal punishment in colonial or maritime contexts.

Examples

• The saddle was crafted from quality cowskins tanned by skilled leather workers.
• Cowskins were commonly used to make durable work boots and belts.
• The ship's captain kept cowskins aboard for disciplinary purposes.
• Furniture upholstered in cowskins was both practical and long-lasting.
• Historical records mention the use of cowskins as a form of punishment in early settlements.