sjambok

American  

[sham-bok, -buhk] / ʃæmˈbɒk, -ˈbʌk /

noun

1. (in southern Africa) a heavy whip, usually of rhinoceros hide.

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verb (used with object)

1. to whip with or as if with such a whip.

sjambok British  

/ -bɒk, ˈʃæmbʌk /

noun

1. a heavy whip of rhinoceros or hippopotamus hide

2. a stiff synthetic version of this, used in crowd control

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verb

1. (tr) to strike or beat with such a whip

Etymology

Origin of sjambok

1820–30; < Afrikaans s ( j ) ambok < Malay cambuk whip < Hindi cābuk

Example Sentences

A sjambok swung, and with a snort, which was half a groan, the trained horses sprang forward.

From The Judgment House by Parker, Gilbert

The baboon had then taken refuge in its box on top of the pole to escape the sjambok, and when Seedling saw Jock come out he commenced whistling and calling softly to him.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

It was the day that Rudyard Byng drove Krool into Park Lane with the sjambok.

From The Judgment House by Parker, Gilbert

Vaulting over into the driver’s seat, he seized the sjambok and jumped into the river.

From The Outspan Tales of South Africa by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

Across the scrub and veld Dick pointed with his sjambok to the white Outspreading tent, then to the wattle belt That marshalled thinly in the shimmering light.

From Provocations by Bristowe, Sibyl