tar and feather vi.
[from Unix tar(1)] To create a transportable
archive from a group of files by first sticking them together
with tar(1) (the Tape ARchiver) and then compressing
the result (see compress). The
latter action is dubbed `feathering' partly for euphony and (if
only for contrived effect) by analogy to what you do with an
airplane propeller to decrease wind resistance, or with an oar to
reduce water resistance; smaller files, after all, slip through
comm links more easily. Compare the more common tarball.