baboon

Meaning

Noun

• An Old World monkey of the genus Papio, having dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks.
• A foolish or boorish person.

Origin

• From Middle English babewin, baboin, from Old French babouin, from baboue, of Proto-Germanic origin, related to dialectal German Bäppe ("lips; muzzle"), Middle High German beffen ("to bark"), Middle English baffen ("to bark"). See also baff, baffle.