packet vs parcel

packet

verb
  • To make up into a packet or bundle. 

  • To send in a packet or dispatch vessel. 

  • To ply with a packet or dispatch boat. 

  • To subject to a denial-of-service attack in which a large number of data packets are sent. 

noun
  • Synonym of package (“male genitalia”) 

  • A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel 

  • Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat. Packet boat, ship, vessel (Wikipedia). 

  • A specimen envelope containing small, dried plants or containing parts of plants when attached to a larger sheet. 

  • A plastic bag. 

  • A large amount of money. 

  • A small fragment of data as transmitted on some types of network, notably Ethernet networks (Wikipedia). 

parcel

verb
  • To wrap something up into the form of a package. 

  • To divide and distribute by parts or portions; often with out or into. 

  • To wrap a strip around the end of a rope. 

  • To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. 

noun
  • An individual item appearing on an invoice or receipt (only in the phrase bill of parcels). 

  • A package wrapped for shipment. 

  • An individual consignment of cargo for shipment, regardless of size and form. 

  • A small amount of food that has been wrapped up, for example a pastry. 

  • A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a whole; a part. 

  • A division of land bought and sold as a unit. 

  • An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or quantity; a collection; a group. 

How often have the words packet and parcel occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )