from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Negro \Ne"gro\ (n[=e]"gr[-o]), n.; pl. {Negroes}
(n[=e]"gr[=o]z). [Sp. or Pg. negro, fr. negro black, L.
niger; perh. akin to E. night.]
A black man; especially, one of a race of black or very dark
persons who inhabit the greater part of tropical Africa, and
are distinguished by crisped or curly hair, flat noses, and
thick protruding lips; also, any black person of unmixed
African blood, wherever found.
[1913 Webster]
2. A person of dark skin color descended at least in part
from African negroes; in the United States, an
{African-American}. [U.S. usage, sometimes considered
offensive.]
[PJC]