Tasman, Abel
Pronunciation: /ˈtazmən/
Definition of Tasman, Abel
- (1603-circa 1659), Dutch navigator; full name Abel Janszoon Tasman. Sent in 1642 by the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies, Anthony van Diemen (1593–1645), to explore Australian waters, he reached Tasmania (which he named Van Diemen’s Land) and New Zealand, and in 1643 arrived at Tonga and Fiji.