Bushman
/ˈbʊʃ.mən/noun
A historical English term for a person living in or associated with the bush, especially a member of southern Africa’s San peoples; the ethnic usage is now often considered outdated or offensive.
Did you know?“Bushman” arose as an outsider label for San peoples, while many communities and scholars now prefer specific San group names or “San” itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*buskaz
“Bush, shrub, or woodland thicket”
Old Dutch
Old Dutch
busc
“Woodland or forest”
Middle Dutch
Middle Dutch
bosch
“Wood or forest”
17th Century
Dutch/Afrikaans
bosjesman
“Literally “little bush man,” an outsider term for a person living in the bush”
18th Century
English
Bushman
“A person associated with the southern African bush, especially a San person”
Modern English
English
Bushman
“A historical or sometimes generic term; ethnic usage is commonly avoided in favor of “San” or specific community names”