karkasse

Karkasse is a term with a few distinct meanings, primarily relating to the skeletal remains of an animal or a framework. In the context of butchery and food preparation, karkasse refers to the carcass of an animal after it has been dressed, meaning the internal organs, head, and feet have been removed. This leaves the main body, including the skeleton, meat, and skin or hide. It is from the karkasse that various cuts of meat are obtained.

Beyond its culinary application, karkasse can also describe the structural framework of something. For instance, in the construction of furniture or vehicles, the underlying support system or chassis might be referred to as a karkasse. This denotes the basic structure upon which other components are attached. The term's origin is generally traced back to French, where "carcasse" carries similar meanings of a body, frame, or shell. While less common in everyday English, the word appears in more specialized fields, retaining its core sense of a skeletal or structural foundation.