Moccasin, << MOK uh suhn, >> is a soft, slipperlike shoe originally worn by North American Indians. The Indians made moccasins from the skin of deer and other animals and decorated them with beads or porcupine quills. These shoes had no heels and were closely fitted. Most were of ankle length. Others extended to the knee.
The term moccasin also refers to a shoe construction. Genuine moccasins were made of a single piece of leather forming the bottom and sides of the shoe. A second piece, called the plug, formed the top of the shoe. In modern forms of moccasins, the sole may have more than one piece of material for greater protection and longer wear.
