Plural of charqui; multiple batches or pieces of dried salted meat prepared in the South American traditional style.
From charqui + English plural -s. The original Quechua word ch'arqui doesn't technically pluralize the same way in English, but the English -s plural became standard for trade and culinary discussions.
In old merchant records, you'll see 'charquis' listed on cargo manifests traveling from South America to Europe and North America—it was valuable trade goods that fed armies, sailors, and miners because it lasted months without spoiling!
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