per·che·ron \ˈpərchəˌrän, -rsh-\noun Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: French, from Perche, region in northern France 1.: a breed of powerful rugged usually dapple-gray or black draft horses originating in the Perche region of France but now much used in America and other countries 2.-s: a horse of the Percheron breed [Percheron]