douroucouli

noun

dou·​rou·​cou·​li ˌdu̇r-ə-ˈkü-lē How to pronounce douroucouli (audio)

Word History

Etymology

French, from an unidentified Indigenous language of the Orinoco basin

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of douroucouli was in 1821

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Douroucouli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/douroucouli. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on douroucouli

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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