English Explanatory Dictionary

sjambok

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stout whip, especially made of rhinoceros or hippopotamus hide.
verb
  1. To whip with a sjambok; to horsewhip.

Pronunciation

/ˈʃæmbɒk/

Word forms

sjambok sjamboks sambock sambok shambock shambok shambuck sjambock sjamboke sjambokking sjambokked

Etymology

From Afrikaans sjambok, from Dutch sjambok, from Javanese cambuk, and as borrowed in Malay: modern Indonesian and Malay, ultimately from Persian چابک (čâbok). Originally spelt in the colonial Dutch transliteration tscamboek. The term was imported by VOC officials, Dutch merchants, the Maardijkers (Maluku (Moluccan) freemen and burghers), and Inlanders (Javanese and other modern Indonesian slaves and political exiles expelled to Dutch South Africa). Doublet of chabuk.

Related words

knout quirt whip cambuk
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