witch doctor

American  

noun

1. a person in some societies who attempts to cure sickness and to exorcise evil spirits by the use of magic.

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witch doctor British  

noun

1. Also called: shaman.   medicine man.  a man in certain societies, esp preliterate ones, who appears to possess magical powers, used esp to cure sickness but also to harm people

2. a person who seeks out or hunts witches in some African tribal cultures

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Etymology

Origin of witch doctor

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

What I remember about “Grey’s” — I was that girl that people would say, “Can you play like a witch doctor on Monday?” or “Can you have this weird disease?”

From Los Angeles Times

A visit to a witch doctor only makes things worse for him and, most tragically, his dog.

From New York Times

In Namibia, “for a witch doctor to make a ruling on whether or not you are a witch, you have to pay him a lot of money,” Holtzhausen says.

From Scientific American

“Oh, he’s real nice,” said Seven of their local witch doctor.

From Literature

Paul Pogba reportedly told investigators the blackmailers aimed to discredit him by claiming he asked a witch doctor to cast a spell on Mbappé.

From Seattle Times