Appaloosa

[ ap-uh-loo-suh ]

noun

1. one of a hardy breed of riding horses, developed in the North American West, having a mottled hide, vertically striped hoofs, and eyes that show a relatively large proportion of white.

Appaloosa

/ ˌæpəˈluːsə /

noun

1. a breed of horse, originally from America, typically having a spotted rump

Word History and Origins

Origin of Appaloosa¹

1920–25, Americanism; origin uncertain; perhaps to be identified with Opelousa a Louisiana Indian tribal name (Compare Opelousas poney, recorded in a German text of 1849), though the breed is traditionally associated with the Nez Perce Indians and the Palouse River (West Idaho)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Appaloosa¹

C19: perhaps from Palouse, river in Idaho