/pot"lach/ , n.
1. (among American Indians of the northern Pacific coast, esp. the Kwakiutl) a ceremonial festival at which gifts are bestowed on the guests and property is destroyed by its owner in a show of wealth that the guests later attempt to surpass.
2. Pacific Northwest. a party or celebration.
[ 1835-45; pátlac, pálac palpa- (redupl. of PA- make ceremonial gifts in potlatch) + -c suffix marking iterative aspect ]