kuli — meaning in English

English meaning

• coolie noun (dated, now often offensive) An unskilled laborer, historically often of Chinese or Indian descent, especially one working under an indenture system.
• stevedore noun A dockworker involved in loading and unloading cargo, or in supervising such work.

Senses

kuli is used for these senses in English:

• coolie An unskilled Asian worker, usually of Chinese or Indian descent; a labourer; a porter. Coolies were frequently transported to other countries in the 19th and early 20th centuries as indentured labourers.
• stevedore A dockworker involved in loading and unloading cargo, or in supervising such work. [from 18th c.]

Related Indonesian words