[a. F. fourchette, dim. of fourche: see FORK sb.] A fork; something forked or resembling a fork. a. Anat. (See quot.)

1

1754–64.  Smellie, Midwif., I. 93. The Frænum or Fourchette, which bounds the inferior part of the Fossa magna and Os externum, restraining it as if with a bridle.

2

1844.  Hoblyn, Dict. Med. (ed. 2), Fourchette.… The name of the thin commissure, by which the labia majora of the pudendum unite together.

3

  b.  Surg: A forked instrument formerly used to divide the frænum of the tongue when short (Syd. Soc. Lex., 1885.)

4

1854.  in Mayne, Expos. Lex.

5

  c.  Ornith. The furcula of a bird.

6

1854.  in Mayne, Expos. Lex.

7

1862.  J. Smith, Newer Plioc. Geol., 14. A marine deposit, containing the bones of fishes and sea-fowl. Foot-n. The fourchette of a diver.

8