mashkodebizhiki

Ojibwe

Etymology

From mashkode (“prairie”) +‎ bizhiki (“buffalo”).

Noun

mashkodebizhiki (plural mashkodebizhikiwag, diminutive mashkodebizhikiins, Syllabics: ᒪᔥᑯᑌᐱᔑᑭ)

1. bison

Usage notes

• Before the arrival of European cattle, bizhiki was the term used for buffalo, yet now refers mainly to cows, with the qualifier mashkode (prairie) specifying buffalo.