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