blackbirding

[ blak-bur-ding ]
/ ˈblækˌbɜr dɪŋ /

noun

(formerly) the act or practice of kidnapping persons, especially Kanakas, and selling them abroad as slaves.

Origin of blackbirding

First recorded in 1870–75; blackbird + -ing1

Definition for blackbirding (2 of 2)

blackbird
[ blak-burd ]
/ ˈblækˌbɜrd /

noun

a common European thrush, Turdus merula, the male of which is black with a yellow bill.
any of several American birds of the family Icteridae, having black plumage. Compare crow blackbird, red-winged blackbird, rusty blackbird.
any of several other unrelated birds having black plumage in either or both sexes.
(formerly) a person, especially a Kanaka, who was kidnapped and sold abroad, usually in Australia, as a slave.

verb (used with object)

to kidnap (a person), as in blackbirding.

verb (used without object)

to engage in blackbirding.

Origin of blackbird

1480–90; earlier blacke bride. See black, bird

Example sentences from the Web for blackbirding

British Dictionary definitions for blackbirding

blackbird
/ (ˈblækˌbɜːd) /

noun

a common European thrush, Turdus merula, in which the male has a black plumage and yellow bill and the female is brown
any of various American orioles having a dark plumage, esp any of the genus Agelaius
history a person, esp a South Sea Islander, who was kidnapped and sold as a slave, esp in Australia

verb

(tr) (formerly) to kidnap and sell into slavery