‖ hammal, hummaul
(haˈmaːl)
Also 8–9 hamaul, 9 hamal, khamal.
[Arab. hammāl porter, f. hamala to carry.]
A Turkish or Oriental porter; in Western India, a palanquin-bearer.
| 1766 Grose Voy. E. Ind. (1772) I. 120 (Y. s.v. Hummaul) The Hamauls or porters, who make a livelihood of carrying goods to and from the warehouses. 1839 J. Pardoe Beauties of Bosph. 38 (Stanf.) Here the khamals deposit the heavy bale. 1845 Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 93 The palankeen-bearers (called hammals at Bombay). 1878 H. M. Stanley Dark Cont. I. i. 37 Hamals, bearing clove and cinamon bags. 1962 J. Fleming When I grow Rich iii. 44 Heavily disguised as hamals, or human mules. 1967 J. Rathbone Diamonds Bid xii. 105 Grey-clad hamals, porters who will carry anything anywhere. |