oozie

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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.