Indian clubn.

1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 23 We gave it the name of Tomahauke Island, from an Indian Club lost here, called by the Caribbe-Indians at Surinam a Tomahauke.

1796 J. G. Stedman Narr. Exped. Surinam I. xv. 406 An apootoo or Indian club.

1824 J. Bryant Acct. Insurrection Negro Slaves Demerara 119 In his right hand, in lieu of a sword, he holds an Indian club.

1939 Nebraska: Guide to Cornhusker State (Federal Writers' Project) ii. 217 Other items are..tomahawks, spears and arrowheads, Indian clubs, and an old packsaddle.

2006 Evansville (Indiana) Courier & Press 28 Apr. d3/5 The museum displays everything from Old World longbows..and elaborate armor to American weapons, including Indian clubs.

1825 P. H. Clias Elem. Course Gymnastic Exercises (ed. 4) 16 The various descriptions of wrestling, the exercise of the Indian club, throwing the discus or quoit, [etc.].

1854 Punch 4 Mar. 91/1 The young ladies..are laboriously and ruefully pursuing health, grace, and activity by the aid of the Indian Clubs.

1860 J. H. Howard Athletic & Gymnastic Exercises 14 (heading) The Indian club... These clubs are intended to give the freedom to the limbs as it is reported the Indians have in using their war-clubs or hatchets (tomahawk).

1913 M. Sinclair Combined Maze iii. 22 The demonstration by F. Booty with the Indian Clubs, where young Fred..played on his own muscles in faultless rhythm.

1990 S. Sturges Preston Sturges xi. 57 The usual complement of wooden and iron dumbbells, Indian clubs, varnished shillelaghs, wall-pulley exercisers, parallel bars.

2005 Independent 3 Jan. 24/4 That near-extinct piece of gymnasium equipment, the Indian club. My mother had one under her bed for many years.

1891 Harper's Mag. July 177/1 A more persevering dumb-beller and Indian-clubber never was.

1934 Life Sept. 30/2 A collection of small-time vaudeville artists, including Indian-clubbers, bell ringers, a strong woman, several weak women, [etc.].