coolaman

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Kooliman


n.

an aboriginalword, Kamilaroi Dialect of New South Wales. [W. Ridley,`Kamilaroi,' p. 25, derives it from Kulu, seed, but itis just as likely from Kolle, water. – – J. Mathew.] Ahollowed knot of a tree, used as a seed vessel, or for holdingwater. The word is applied to the excrescence on the tree aswell as to the vessel; a bush hand has been heard to speak of ahump-backed man as `cooliman-backed.'

1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 269:

«Three koolimans (vessels of stringy bark) were full of honeywater, from one of which I took a hearty draught.»

1863. M. K. Beveridge, `Gatherings among the Gum-trees,'p. 37:

«And the beautiful Lubrina

Fetched a Cooliman of water.»

[In Glossary.] Cooliman, a hollow knot of a tree for holdingwater.

186. W. Howitt, `Discovery in Australia, vol. ii. p. 24:

«Koolimans, water vessels. . . The koolimans were made of theinner layer of the bark of the stringy-bark tree.»

1881. A. C. Grant, `Bush Life in Queensland,' vol. ii. p. 185:

«Coolaman, native vessel for holding water.»

1885. Mrs. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 76:

«Cooliman, a vessel for carrying water, made out of the barkwhich covers an excrescence peculiar to a kind of gum-tree.»