wiindigoo

Ojibwe

Etymology

The Proto-Algonquian term was *wīntekōwa, which probably originally meant "owl" (Goddard 1969, cited in Brightman 1988:340).

Noun

wiindigoo (plural: wiindigoog)

1. (Algonquian mythology) A malevolent cannibalistic spirit into which humans may transform, or which may possess humans: a wendigo/windigo.
2. A cannibalistic or man-eating giant or monster which may appear in the winter.

   • wiindigoowi!

     He/she is a wendigo!

Derived terms

• wiindigoo-bineshiinh