kaffir

Meaning

Noun

• In Islamic contexts, a non-Muslim.
• A member of the Nguni people of southern Africa, especially a Xhosa.
• A black person.
• A language spoken by the Nguni peoples of southern Africa, especially Xhosa.

Origin

• Ultimately from Arabic كَفَّار ("infidel") or كَافِر, both from كَفَرَ; in some (especially early) uses, via Spanish cafre, Dutch kaffer or other European languages.