What is "pack horse"

Pack \Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. Packet.]

1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a bale, as of goods.
   --Piers Plowman.

2. [Cf. Peck, n.] A number or quantity equal to the contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. ``A pack of sorrows.'' ``A pack of blessings.''
   --Shak.

   Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of wool, 240 lbs.''
   --McElrath.

3. A group or quantity of connected or similar things; as, a pack of lies; specifically:

   1. A full set of playing cards; a deck; also, the assortment used in a particular game; as, a euchre pack.

   2. A number of wolves, hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together; as, a wolf pack.

   3. A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or knaves.

   4. A shook of cask staves.

   5. A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling simultaneously.

4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together more or less closely.
   --Kane.

5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the method of treatment.

6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p[=ae]can to deceive.] A loose, lewd, or worthless person. See Baggage. [Obs.]
   --Skelton.

7. (Med.) In hydropathic practice, a wrapping of blankets or sheets called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the condition of the blankets or sheets used, put about a patient to give him treatment; also, the fact or condition of being so treated.

8. (Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the scrummage; also, the scrummage.

   Pack animal, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in carrying packs.

   Pack and prime road or Pack and prime way, a pack road or bridle way.

   Pack cloth, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering packs or bales.

   Pack horse. See Pack animal (above).

   Pack ice. See def. 4, above.

   Pack moth (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ( Anacampsis sarcitella) which, in the larval state, is very destructive to wool and woolen fabrics.

   Pack needle, a needle for sewing with pack thread.
   --Piers Plowman.

   Pack saddle, a saddle made for supporting the load on a pack animal.
   --Shak.

   Pack staff, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's staff.

   Pack train (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.

Pack horse \Pack horse\ See under 2d Pack.

alt. A horse used for carrying luggage. n. A horse used for carrying luggage.