Plural of jaguar; large wild cats native to Central and South America, known for their powerful bite and distinctive spotted coats.
English from Spanish and Portuguese 'jaguar', from Tupi-Guarani 'yaguara' meaning 'beast of prey that kills with one leap'. The word entered European languages through early colonial contact with indigenous South Americans.
Jaguars have the strongest bite force of any big cat, capable of crushing turtle shells and caiman skulls, which explains why indigenous peoples named them 'the beast that kills with one leap.' Unlike other big cats, jaguars are excellent swimmers and often hunt in water, making them uniquely adapted to rainforest environments.
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