caribou
UK: ˈkærɪbuː | US: ˈkærɪbuː
n. a large North American reindeer, native to Arctic and subarctic regions
The word "caribou" originates from the Mi'kmaq (an Indigenous Algonquian language) word "qalipu," meaning "snow shoveler," referencing the animal's habit of scraping snow to uncover food. French settlers adapted it as "caribou," which entered English in the early 17th century. The morphemes "carib" and "ou" do not have clear standalone meanings in English or French, as the word is a direct loanword with unanalyzed internal structure.
Caribou migrate hundreds of miles across the Arctic tundra each year.
The Inuit rely on caribou for food, clothing, and tools.
Climate change threatens caribou populations by altering their habitats.
A caribou’s antlers can span over four feet in width.
We spotted a herd of caribou near the frozen lake.