(ˈstrændˌwʊlf; Afrikaans ˈstrantˌvɔlf) n, pl-wolves (Animals) a species of hyena (Hyaena brunnea) that scavenges on shores of southern Africa. Also called: brown hyena[C19: Afrikaans, from Dutch strand beach + Afrikaans wolf hyena]ThesaurusSeebrown hyena