ETYM Latin bison, Greek bison, a wild ox; akin to Old High Germ. wisunt, wisant, German wisent, AS. wesend, Icel. vîsundr: cf. French bison.
Any of several large shaggy-maned humped bovids having large heads and short horns.
Large, hoofed mammal of the bovine family. There are two species, both brown. The European bison or wisent Bison bonasus, of which only a few protected herds survive, is about 2 m/7 ft high and weighs up to 1,100 kg/2,500 lb. The North American bison (often known as “buffalo”) Bison bison is slightly smaller, with a heavier mane and more sloping hindquarters. Formerly roaming the prairies in vast numbers, it was almost exterminated in the 19th century, but survives in protected areas. There were about 14,000 bison in North American reserves 1994.
Crossed with domestic cattle, the latter has produced a hardy hybrid, the “beefalo”, producing a lean carcass on an economical grass diet.

1. City in Kansas (USA); zip code 67520.
2. Town in South Dakota (USA); zip code 57620.