Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - karoo

 or Karroo  geographical name plateau region W Republic of South Africa W of Drakensberg Mountains divided into Little ~ (or Southern ~ (in central Western Cape province), ) Great ~ (or Central ~ (in Western Cape & Eastern Cape provinces), & ) Northern ~ (or Upper ~ (in Northern Cape, Free State, & North West provinces)) KAROO  or karroo  noun  (plural ~s or karroos)  Etymology: Afrikaans karo, from Khoikhoi karo, karro hard, dry  Date: 1789 a dry tableland of southern Africa