Croatan

noun

Cro·​atan

¦krōə¦tan

variants or less commonly Croatan Indian

plural -s

sometimes disparaging

: one of a group of people of mixed American Indian, white, and black ancestry in southern North Carolina and adjoining sections of South Carolina

Word History

Etymology

from Croatan, island, off the coast of North Carolina

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now