ETYM From the native name.
N.Am. Indian Medicine man; witch doctor.
Ritual leader who acts as intermediary between society and the supernatural world in many indigenous cultures of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Also known as a medicine man, seer, or sorcerer, the shaman is expected to use special powers to cure illness and control good and evil spirits.
Shamans also use local medicines and curative techniques. Scientists and pharmaceutical companies have begun to take an interest in traditional knowledge systems, which puts the intellectual rights of shamans at issue.
In societies practicing shamanism: one acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds; practices sorcery for healing or divination; SYN. priest-doctor.