gnu

 
Pronunciation: /(g)nuː, (g)njuː/

noun

  • a large dark antelope with a long head, a beard and mane, and a sloping back. Also called wildebeest.
    • Genus Connochaetes, family Bovidae: two species, in particular the abundant brindled gnu or blue wildebeest (C. taurinus)

Origin:

late 18th century: from Khoikhoi and San, perhaps imitative of the sound made by the animal when alarmed