1. a Native American baby or young child
Usage: sometimes considered offensive; dated
2. a cradleboard or carrier used by Native Americans to carry a baby on the back
Usage: dated

Examples

• The museum displayed traditional cradleboards once called papooses.
• She carried her baby in a modern version of what was historically called a papoose.
• The hiking store sold baby carriers inspired by traditional papoose designs.
• Native American mothers traditionally used papooses to keep their babies close while working.
• The term papoose is now considered outdated when referring to Native American children.
• Modern baby carriers evolved from the papoose concept.