[Native Australian of the Kurnai tribe in Gippsland.
Originally written tŭrndūn by Howitt (see quot. 1880), who however employs the spelling tundun in his Native Tribes S.E. Austr. (1901), 493.]
A flattish, fish-shaped piece of wood fastened by one end to a thong, which when whirled round makes a peculiar penetrating roaring sound; a bull-roarer.
1880. Fison & Howitt, Kamilaroi & Kurnai, 197. About a week after the boys have run away…, the old men go out and make certain wooden instruments called tŭrndūn.
1883. Cornh. Mag., Jan., 84. This object, called Turndun by the Australians, is a very early savage invention, probably discovered and applied to religious purposes in various … centres, and retained from the age of savagery in the mystic rites of Greeks and perhaps of Romans.
1887. Athenæum, 1 Oct., 430. The living Australian savage as he twirls the turndun, bedaubs himself with clay.
1898. A. Lang, Making Relig., v. 91. Many other races use the bull-roarer, turndun, or rhombos.
