wonguim
/ˈwɒŋɡwəm
/noun Australian
A boomerang of a type which returns to its thrower: we had many opportunities of seeing the wonguim thrown by native experts...
- Spiraling like an enchanted thing, the wongium flashed toward us with such speed that I yelled "Look out!" and threw myself flat to avoid a beaning.
- The Yarra blacks, now unhappily wiped out by you gentle white people, used the Wongium for killing birds.
- A well-made Wonguim, in the hands of one who can use it, returns always to the place, or very nearly to the place, to which the thrower intended it to return.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Wathawurung and Wuywurung (Aboriginal languages) wanggim.