voortrekker

noun, often capitalized voor·trek·ker \ ˈfōrˌtrekər \

Definition of voortrekker

plural -s

: a South African pioneer; especially : one of the Boers who took part in the trek from Cape Colony to the Transvaal in 1834–37

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Origin and Etymology of voortrekker

Afrikaans, from voor before, in front (from Middle Dutch vore) + trekker emigrant, from trek to pull, move, emigrate + -er; akin to Old High German fora before