It's the Eskimo term for any dwelling, not just those made of ice
"... [DOC] [TLE] Eskimos - Crystalinks [PAR] No universal term other than Eskimo, inclusive of all Inuit and Yupik people, 
exists for the ... and Siberia, in its charter defines Inuit for use within the ICC as 
including "the Inupiat, .... Ice houses are built only as temporary shelters during 
winter hunting trips.