harmattan

[ hahr-muh-tan ]

/ ˌhɑr məˈtæn /

(on the west coast of Africa) a dry, parching land breeze, charged with dust.

Origin of harmattan

1665–75; said to be < Twi haramata

harlot, harlotry, harlow, harm, harm's way, harmattan, harmful, harmless, harmolodics, harmonia, harmonic

The harmattan prevails for several days in succession, and alternates with winds from the south and south-west.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 |Various
This harmattan, by the way, is a bit of a meteorological mystery.

A Camera Actress in the Wilds of Togoland |Meg Gehrts
The dry east wind known as the harmattan blows intermittently from December to March.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 |Various
Those storms which are accompanied with a clear sky, as the northers of the Gulf of Mexico, the harmattan of Africa, &c.

The Sailor's Word-Book |William Henry Smyth

The mean temperature in the dry season, when the “harmattan” is frequent, is 62 Fahr., in the wet season 86.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" |Various

harmattan

/ (hɑːˈmætən) /

a dry dusty wind from the Sahara blowing towards the W African coast, esp from November to March

C17: from Twi haramata, perhaps from Arabic harām forbidden thing; see harem