Habūb
/həˈbuːb/noun
A powerful dust storm, especially one occurring in arid regions such as Sudan or the American Southwest.
Did you know?The word comes from Arabic هبوب (habūb), built from the same consonantal root associated with blowing and wind-driven movement.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ḥ-b-b
“A consonantal root associated with blowing or moving air; the precise prehistoric form is reconstructed”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
habba
“To blow, as wind; to begin moving or stirring”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
habūb
“A violent wind or blowing storm”
19th Century
English
haboob
“A violent dust storm, especially in Sudan”
20th Century
English
haboob / habub
“A dust storm formed when strong winds lift large quantities of sand or dust”
Modern English
English
habūb
“A regional or meteorological term for a powerful dust storm”