E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cannibal.
A word applied to those who eat human flesh. The usual derivation is Caribbee, corrupted into Canibbee, supposed to be man-eaters. Some of the tribes of these islands have no r.
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“The natives live in great fear of the canibals (i.e. Caribals, or people of Cariba).”—Columbus.
