The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Valise \Va*lise"\, n. [F. valise; cf. It. valigia, Sp. balija,
   LL. valisia, valesia; of uncertain origin, perhaps through
   (assumed) LL. vidulitia, from L. vidulus a leathern trunk; a
   knapsack.]
   A small sack or case, usually of leather, but sometimes of
   other material, for containing the clothes, toilet articles,
   etc., of a traveler; a traveling bag; a portmanteau.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

valise
    n 1: a small overnight bag for short trips