Swathe

Dictionary day.  The word is one I have never used but heard. “Swathe” “Bind with bandages, enclose with wraps or cloths or warm garments or many garments…”  That is a definition of it used as a verb apparently.  It can be used as a noun also referring to a large piece of land and it is spelled without the e.
It sort of means to cover completely with clothing or bandages.  Very similar to swaddling clothes.  Merril recently gave a talk on swaddling cloths and how there is generally no movement. 
I image a swathe of a bandage is to bind a wound tight not allowing for movement and thus enabling someone who knows what they are doing to attend to the matter without it having gotten worse. 
Swathe is from an old English word “swathian” and is related to swaddling.
It seems that looking at the synonyms for swathe give me a clearer picture of the meaning or intent of the word.  Some of the synonyms for swathe are enfold, envelope, wrap up.
While it is not a word I have used, I feel I have certainly seen this sort of thing in action.  It seems that every time I have a wound it is cleaned, and ointment applied, and it is wrapped up.  It makes sense to me (as long as it can breathe if it should) as the wrapping both helps something to heal and keeps infection out.
It was no wonder my doctor saw me immediately when I big cut I had in my leg broke the stitching and popped open.  Wounds need to be covered.
Some cultures it seems swathe parts of the body to produce some perceived desirable feature.   I have seen necks swathed and also feet.  Personally, I am not into it, but I imagine if I was brought up in a culture that adhered to such things it would be hard to buck the trend or even want to.
Swathe has been a challenging word.  I feel I have learned something, and it is now time to move on.