Plural of coyote; wild dog-like animals native to North America, smaller than wolves, known for their howling and ability to adapt to many environments.
From Nahuatl (Aztec language) 'coyotl,' brought into English through Spanish conquistadors' contact with Mexico. The word traveled from indigenous language to Spanish to English as Europeans encountered these animals.
The word 'coyote' comes from the Aztec language and is one of the few Native American words that's become common in English—it's right up there with 'tomato' and 'chocolate' as words that traveled from Mexico to the world through Spanish!
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