Bouché

Bouché is a French term that functions as a masculine adjective and the past participle of the verb boucher. It derives from the noun bouche (mouth or opening) and carries meanings related to closing, plugging, or sealing. In modern French, bouché generally describes something that is blocked or sealed, such as a passage, vessel, or opening.

The word is used in contexts where an obstruction or closure is involved. Examples include expressions like une oreille bouchée (a blocked ear), un canal bouché (a blocked canal), or une route bouchée (a blocked road). As a participle, it can describe objects or conditions that have been closed off or filled.

In culinary usage, the related feminine noun bouchée denotes a bite-sized portion of food, a single mouthful served as an hors d’oeuvre. The form bouchée appears in phrases such as bouchée à la reine, a classic dish featuring chicken in a creamy sauce. Here, bouchée refers to a small, one-bite piece rather than the past-participle sense of bouché.

As a surname, Bouché exists in French-speaking regions, and may appear in various personal names and family histories. The term also appears in broader historical and geographical contexts related to French language and culture, though specific uses can vary by region and discipline.