oozie

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

oozie (plural oozies)

1. In Myanmar, an elephant trainer or mahout.
   • 1937, C. V. Warren, Burmese Interlude, page 37:

     This is the story of Ba Galay and Maunga Sein, his oozie, one of the bravest men whom I have ever met.

   • 1955, Alice E. Goudey, Here Come the Elephants!, page 90:

     When Little Elephant is shut in the pen, the oozie offers him another banana. But he kicks and bawls and will not take it.

   • 1969, Animals You Will Never Forget, Reader's Digest, page 186:

     It is her chewing gum as she works, but it earns her a sarcastic comment from the oozie: "My mother, but you are forever eating!" However, his patience is quite undisturbed. The elephant takes her time.

   • 1998, Roland Smith, In the Forest with Elephants:

     Women sometimes help their oozie husbands with the feeding and care of the elephants, but in Myanmar only males are allowed to become oozies.