Zebu

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Zebu \Ze"bu\, n. [?. z['e]bu; of uncertain origin.] (Zool.)
     A bovine mammal ({Ros Indicus}) extensively domesticated in
     India, China, the East Indies, and East Africa. It usually
     has short horns, large pendulous ears, slender legs, a large
     dewlap, and a large, prominent hump over the shoulders; but
     these characters vary in different domestic breeds, which


     range in size from that of the common ox to that of a large
     mastiff.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Some of the varieties are used as beasts of burden, and
           some fore for riding, while others are raised for their
           milk and flesh. The Brahmin bull, regarded as sacred by
           the Hindoos, also belongs to this species. The male is
           called also {Indian bull}, {Indian ox}, {Madras ox},
           and {sacred bull}.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  zebu
       n : domesticated ox having a humped back and long horns and a
           large dewlap; used chiefly as a draft animal in India and
           east Asia