The word 'buffalo' originally came from Spanish as 'bufalo'

'Buffalo' is a word borrowed from Spanish 'bufalo'. The word entered the English language some time around 1562.

buffalo [noun] [1562]

• any of several wild bovids
• as
• water buffalo
• cape buffalo
• any of a genus (Bison) of bovids

Meaning: large North American bison.

Etymology: From Spanish bufalo ultimately from Latin bubalus.

Topics: Animals:Mammals, Linguistics.

Origins: From Greek to Latin to Spanish to English. Alternatively: From Greek to Latin to Italian to English.

note: Meaning: large North American bison. Etymology: From Spanish bufalo ultimately from Latin bubalus.

See 'buffalo' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Spanish.

See more loan words from 1500s.