English▸ noun [mass noun] a sport of Indian origin played by teams of seven on a circular sand court. The players attempt to tag or capture opponents and must hold their breath while running, repeating the word ‘kabaddi’ to show that they are doing so.
– ORIGIN of uncertain origin; compare with Kannada kabalisu ‘to gulp’ and Hindi kabaḍḍī ‘shout ‘kabaddi’’.