war whoop

a yell uttered in making an attack: the war whoop of the American Indian.

Origin of war whoop

An Americanism dating back to 1705–15

Pitts succeeded in getting into the church just about dusk and raising the war-whoop.

The Yankee Tea-party |Henry C. Watson
The sun went down as Tecumseh's war-whoop ended and Nenimkee led his warriors deeper into the woods.

In the Van; or, The Builders |John Price-Brown
The presentation was followed by a war-whoop from Ankawakeets, and his braves.

Memoirs of John R. Young |John Young
The war-whoop the enemy had before uttered was terrific enough.

Snow Shoes and Canoes |William H. G. Kingston

In a moment the murmur swelled into an unmistakable Indian war-whoop.

Captured by the Navajos |Charles A. Curtis

war whoop

the yell or howl uttered, esp by North American Indians, while making an attack