cachalot

[ kash-uh-lot, -loh ]

/ ˈkæʃ əˌlɒt, -ˌloʊ /

Origin of cachalot

1740–50; < French ≪ Portuguese cacholote, equivalent to cachol(a) pate, noggin (of obscure origin) + -ote augmentative suffix

Sir W. Flower and many others are of opinion that there is but one species of Cachalot.

The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., Mammalia |Frank Evers Beddard
Of one thing I am certain—that, if any of the trio survived, they never afterwards attempted to rush a cachalot.

The Cruise of the Cachalot |Frank T. Bullen
Except for the head work, removing the blubber was effected in precisely the same way as in the case of the cachalot.

The Cruise of the Cachalot |Frank T. Bullen
Half pulling, half trusting to the sail, in a few seconds they were alongside the carcass of the cachalot.

The Ocean Waifs |Mayne Reid

Whoever gave utterance to those sounds—words they were—must be moving onward,—coming towards the carcass of the cachalot.

The Ocean Waifs |Mayne Reid

cachalot

/ (ˈkæʃəˌlɒt) /

another name for sperm whale

C18: from French, from Portuguese, cachalote, of unknown origin