nagana

noun

na·​ga·​na nə-ˈgä-nə How to pronounce nagana (audio)
: trypanosomiasis (especially when caused by Trypanosoma brucei) of domestic animals

Word History

Etymology

Zulu unakane, ulunakane

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nagana was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near nagana

Cite this Entry

“Nagana.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nagana. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

nagana

noun
na·​ga·​na
variants also n'gana
: a highly fatal disease of domestic animals in tropical Africa caused by a flagellated protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted by tsetse and other biting flies
broadly : trypanosomiasis of domestic animals

More from Merriam-Webster on nagana

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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