Haboob
/həˈbuːb/noun
A powerful dust or sandstorm, especially one occurring in arid regions.
Did you know?The term became widely known in English through descriptions of intense dust storms in Sudan and later through meteorological writing about Arizona and other desert regions.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Arabic
Arabic
هَبُوب (habūb)
“A strong wind or dust storm; literally associated with blowing”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
هَبَّ (habba)
“To blow, stir, or begin moving suddenly”
19th Century
English
habub
“An English-rendered form used in descriptions of Sudanese dust storms”
Late 19th Century
English
haboob
“A violent dust storm, especially in Sudan”
20th–21st Century
Modern English
haboob
“A large dust or sandstorm, now also commonly used for storms in the American Southwest”