carabao

noun

ca·ra·bao ˌker-ə-ˈbau̇

ˌka-rə-,

ˌkär-ə-

plural carabao or carabaos

: water buffalo

Word History

Etymology

Philippine Spanish, from Visayan of Samar and Leyte karabáw

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of carabao was in 1900

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Browse Nearby Words

carab

carabao

carabeen

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Carabao.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carabao. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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