zareba

[ zuh-ree-buh ]

/ zəˈri bə /

(in the Sudan and adjoining regions) a protective enclosure, as of thorn bushes.

Origin of zareba

First recorded in 1840–50, zareba is from the Arabic word zarībah pen

Soon after one o'clock in the morning the stillness round the zareba was suddenly broken.

The Dash for Khartoum |George Alfred Henty
They were carried away from the fires and through rows of grass huts to the gateway of the zareba.

The Blind Lion of the Congo |Elliott Whitney
No zareba would be raised, for there would be many a long march before the caravan reached perilous country.

A Soldier of the Legion |C. N. Williamson
But they were up again in a minute, and this time, with sword in hand, flung themselves against the zareba.

In the grip of the Mullah |F. S. Brereton

In January 1916 the German Fleet is still lurking in that zareba.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 12, 1916 |Various

zareba

/ (zəˈriːbə) /

a stockade or enclosure of thorn bushes around a village or campsite

the area so protected or enclosed

C19: from Arabic zarībah cattlepen, from zarb sheepfold