donga

Where does the word "donga" come from? It comes from Zulu udonga, passing through Afrikaans before entering English (1900s).

Donga’s story begins in Zulu: udonga meant “wall.” Described a wall-like, steep-sided bank formed by erosion. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Afrikaans as donga. Used of gullies eroded by storm water on the South African veld. It reached English by 1900s as donga. Spread into English usage via the Boer War and Australian soldiers who served there. Today, donga means a steep-sided gully or ravine cut by water erosion, usually dry except in the rainy season.

1. Stage 1 · Zulu · ancient udonga "wall", described a wall-like, steep-sided bank formed by erosion.
2. Stage 2 · Afrikaans · 1800s donga "a steep-sided gully or ravine", used of gullies eroded by storm water on the South African veld.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s donga "a dry, steep-sided ravine cut by water erosion", spread into English usage via the Boer War and Australian soldiers who served there.