night-serpent, noun
- Origin:
- Translation of South African Dutch nachtslang.
obs.
nachtslang.
1821 C.I. Latrobe Jrnl of Visit 124The bite of the Nachtschlange, or night-serpent, is said by the Hottentot poison-doctors, to be uncurable.
1841 B. Shaw Memorials 312The nachtslang, or night-serpent, is a dangerous one, because of its going out by night, when it may be trod upon.