Real Dictionary

pachisi in American English
in India, a game for four players in which the moves of the pieces around a board are determined by the throwing of cowrie shells
noun: a board game, originated in ancient India, in which four players advance four pieces each along a route on a cross-shaped board toward a center square by throws of cowrie shells or dice

pachisi in British English
noun: an Indian game somewhat resembling backgammon, played on a cruciform board using six cowries as dice