Scientifically,
the term “buffalo” is incorrect for the North
American species; its proper Latin name is Bison bison. However,
common usage has made the term “buffalo” an acceptable
synonym for the American bison. (from The American Buffalo
in Transition, by J. Albert Rorabacher.)
In the seventeenth century, French explorers in North America
referred to the new species they encountered as “les
boeufs,” meaning oxen or beeves.
The English, arriving later, changed the pronunciation to
“la buff.” The name grew distorted as “buffle,”
“buffler,” “buffillo,” and, eventually,
“buffalo.” (from The American Buffalo in Transition,
by J. Albert Rorabacher.)
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