aboriginal name for a horse.Various etymologies are suggested; see quotation, 1875.The river «Yarra Yarra» means ever flowing, sc. fast.
[A possible derivation is from Yaran, a common word inNew South Wales and South Queensland, and with slight variationone of the most common words in Australia, for beard andsometimes hair. The mane would suggest the name. – – J. Mathew.]
1848. T. L. Mitchell, `Tropical Australia,' p. 270:
«It was remarkable that on seeing the horses, they exclaimed`Yarraman,' the colonial natives' name for a horse, and that ofthese animals they were not at all afraid, whereas they seemedin much dread of the bullocks.»
1875. W. Ridley, `Kamilaroi and other Australian Languages,'p. 21:
«Horse-yaraman. All the Australians use this name, probablyfrom the neighing of the horse, or as some think from `yira'or `yera,' teeth ( teeth), and `man' ( with).»
Ibid. p. 104:
«Language of George's River. Horse – – yaraman (from `yara,' throwfast).»
1885. R. M. Praed, `Australian Life,' p. 4:
«Yarraman being the native word for horse.»