boschvark, noun

Forms:
bosch vaark, bosch-varkenShow more Also bosch vaark, bosch-varken, bos-vark.
Plurals:
boschvarke /ˈbɔʃfarkə/, boschvarkens.
Origin:
South African Dutch, Afrikaans, DutchShow more South African Dutch boschvark, later Afrikaans bosvark, from Dutch bosch bush + varken pig; so called because it favours thickets and undergrowth.
bushpig.
1786 G. Forster tr. of A. Sparrman’s Voy. to Cape of G.H. II. 23This day I saw, for the first time, a herd of bosch-varkens, or, as they are likewise called, wilde-varkens..in their wild uncultivated state.
1834 T. Pringle Afr. Sketches 277The bosch-vark, or wood-swine..a fierce animal, and armed with dangerous tusks, which protrude like those of an elephant.
1844 J. Backhouse Narr. of Visit 213The Bosch vark, Bush pig..is about 2½ feet high and 5 feet long, and has a tubercular excrescence covered with coarse hair on the face.
1900 W.L. Sclater Mammals of S. Afr. I. 276Bosch-varks are found most abundantly in broken hilly country where there is dense shade and plenty of water.
1918 S.H. Skaife Animal Life in S. Afr. 259Like most other wild pigs, the bosch-vark will fight fiercely when brought to bay.
1936 E.C. Llewellyn Influence of Low Dutch 164Bosch-vark,..A species of wild pig; so named from its habitat, from Du. bosch, bush, and vark, pig.
1968 L.G. Green Full Many Glorious Morning 227A bos-vark, a bush pig and that one must have weighed two hundred and fifty pounds.
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17861968