bushwhack
[ boo sh-hwak, -wak ]
/ ˈbʊʃˌʰwæk, -ˌwæk /
verb (used without object)
to make one's way through woods by cutting at undergrowth, branches, etc.
to travel through woods.
to pull a boat upstream from on board by grasping bushes, rocks, etc., on the shore.
to fight as a bushwhacker or guerrilla in the bush.
verb (used with object)
to fight as a bushwhacker; ambush.
to defeat, especially by surprise or in an underhanded way: They bushwhacked our high school team when they used college players.
Origin of bushwhack
1830–40,
Americanism; back formation from
bushwhacker
Words nearby bushwhack
bushranger,
bushtit,
bushveld,
bushwa,
bushwalking,
bushwhack,
bushwhacker,
bushy,
bushy-tailed,
busily,
business
Example sentences from the Web for bushwhack
Figured that in my stocking feet I could creep up on the two fellows who were trying to bushwhack you.
Slim Evans and his Horse Lightning |Graham M. DeanHe was also the Newt who had tried to bushwhack Chuck on the trail.
Slim Evans and his Horse Lightning |Graham M. Dean
British Dictionary definitions for bushwhack
bushwhack
/ (ˈbʊʃˌwæk) /
verb
(tr) US, Canadian and Australian
to ambush
(intr) US, Canadian and Australian
to cut or beat one's way through thick woods
(intr) US, Canadian and Australian
to range or move around in woods or the bush
(intr) US and Canadian
to fight as a guerrilla in wild or uncivilized regions
(intr) NZ
to work in the bush, esp at timber felling