noun
or ath·a·pas·can |athə|paskən ; or ath·a·bas·can or ath·a·bas·kan -|ba-
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Athapaska, Athapasca, Athabasca, Athabaska an Athapaskan people (from Cree Athap-askaw, literally, grass or reeds here and there) + English -an
1. : a language stock of the Na-dene phylum in No. America consisting of the three groups Apachean, Pacific Athapaskan, and Déné or Northern Athapaskan
2.
a. : a people speaking an Athapaskan language
b. : a member of any such people