ankus
noun
an·kus
ˈaŋkəs,
ˈəŋkəsh
variants or less commonly ankusha
ˈəŋkəshə
plural ankus also ankusha or ankuses also ankushas
: an elephant goad used in India having a sharp spike and hook and resembling a short-handled boat hook
Word History
Etymology
Hindi aṅkus, from Sanskrit aṅkuśa; akin to Sanskrit aṅka bend, hook
First Known Use
1823, in the meaning defined above