donga

[prettygoodword]

donga (DONG-guh, DAWNG-guh) - (S. Africa) n., a narrow steep-sided ravine that's usually dry except in the rainy season.


One dictionary notes it as also in use in Australia & New Zealand -- can anyone confirm? It's certainly South African in origin -- specifically, it came from Afrikaans, from a Nguni language, most likely Zulu udonga, from Proto-Bantu *mʊ̀dòngà, river/valley/channel.

---L.

Comments

[mific]

Never heard of it! (kiwi)

[prettygoodword]

Thanks!