A quiver is a container for arrows, crossbow bolts or darts, such as those fired from a bow, crossbow or blowgun. A quiver may have different forms depending on where it is to be used: quivers could hang from an archer's belt, from the saddle of a horse or be worn on the back (as most often done in Robin Hood films). Sometimes, especially in quivers made for hanging on a saddle, the quiver had a compartment for holding the bow itself. Many quivers had lids to protect the arrows from rain, which could potentially ruin them (for example by affecting the glue holding the fletching in place).
Quivers have seen use in all cultures where bow and arrow have been used. One certain archaeological source of evidence is Oetzi, the Bronze Age man found in the Alps.
See also: quiver (mathematics), quiver diagram, Quiver (game), and the Wiktionary definition for other meanings of the word.
