knobkerrie

noun

knob·​ker·​rie ˈnäb-ˌker-ē How to pronounce knobkerrie (audio)
: a short wooden club with a knob at one end used as a missile or in close attack especially by Zulus of southern Africa

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans knopkierie, from knop knob + kierie club

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of knobkerrie was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near knobkerrie

Cite this Entry

“Knobkerrie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knobkerrie. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on knobkerrie

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!