ˈōbēə noun
also obi ˈōbē
( -s )
Etymology: of African origin; akin to Edo o 3 bi 1 poison, Twi a 1 bi 1 a 3 , a creeper used in making medicine and charms
1. often capitalized : a system of belief that is probably of Ashanti origin, has long been practiced but is of increasingly declining influence among Negroes chiefly of the British West Indies, the Guianas, and the southeastern U.S., and is characterized by the use of sorcery and magic ritual — compare voodooism
2.
a. : a charm or fetish used in obeah
b. : the influence of obeah
put obeah on a person