Maroon
/məˈruːn/noun
A term referring to a person of African descent who escaped slavery and formed independent communities.
Did you know?The term 'maroon' originates from the Spanish 'cimarrón', which referred to feral livestock or runaway slaves in the Americas, symbolizing defiance against oppression.
Etymological Timeline
Spanish Colonial Period
Spanish
cimarrón
“Initially used for feral cattle, later applied to runaway slaves in the Americas.”
17th Century
English
maroon
“Adopted to describe escaped slaves who formed free communities in remote areas.”
18th Century
French
marron
“Referring to runaway slaves in the Caribbean, emphasizing their independence and resistance.”
19th Century
English
maroon
“Used to describe the descendants of these escaped slaves and their communities.”