noun

1. the skin of an animal, usually a sheep or goat, prepared as a surface on which to write or paint
2. paper specially treated to resemble parchment, and used for lampshades, stationery, etc.
3. a document, manuscript, or diploma on parchment

Etymology: ME parchemin < OFr < LL pergamina < L (charta) Pergamena, (paper) of Pergamum, where used as a substitute for papyrus: altered in OFr by assoc. with parche, parchment < LL parthica (pellis), lit., Parthian (leather)