also spelt craal, kraal, &c. (South African Dutch, derived possibly from a native African word, but probably from the Spanish corral, Portuguese corral, an enclosure for horses, cattle and the like), in South and Central Africa, a native village surrounded by a palisade, mud wall or other fencing roughly circular in form; by transference, the community living within the enclosure. Folds for animals and enclosures made specially for defensive purposes are also called kraals.