According to Charlevoix (Nouv. France, III, 178), the term "Eskimo"
is a corruption of the Abenaki Indian Esquimantsic or the Ojibway
Ashkimeg, both terms meaning "those who eat raw flesh." In the words
of Captain Hooper,[202] "Neither the origin nor meaning of the name
'Esquimaux,' or Eskimo, as it is now spelled, is known. According to
Doctor Rink, the name 'Esquimaux' was first given to the inhabitants of
Southern Labrador as a term of derision by the inhabitants of Northern
Labrador, and means raw-fish eater. Dall says the appellation 'Eskimo'
is derived from a word indicating a sorcerer or shaman in the language
of the northern tribes."
For Brinton,[203] as for Charlevoix, the term "Eskimo" is derived
from the Algonkin "Eskimantick," "eaters of raw flesh." According to
Chamberlain,[204] Sir John Richardson (Arctic Searching Exp., p. 203)
attempts to derive it from the French words ceux qui miaux (miaulent),
referring to their clamorous outcries on the approach of a ship.
Petitot (Chambers Encyc., Ed. 1880, IV, p. 165, article Esquimaux)
says that at the present day the Crees, of Lake Athabasca, call them
Wis-Kimowok (from Wiyas flesh, aski raw, and mowew to eat), and also
Ayiskimiwok (i. e., those who act in secret). In Labrador the English
sometimes call the Eskimo "Huskies" (loc. cit., p. ix. 7. Chambers
Encyc., article Esquimaux. See Hind. Trav. in Int. of Labr., loc.
cit., and Petitot loc. cit., p. ix.) and Suckemos (Richardson, Arctic
Searching Expedition, p. 202) and Dall (Proc. Am. Ass. Adv. Sci., 1869,
p. 266) says that in Alaska the Tinneh Indians call them "Uskeeme"
(sorcerers).
The Eskimo call themselves "Innuit," said to be the plural of in-nu,
the man, hence "the people"; the same being as a rule the meaning of
the name by which the various tribes of the Indian call themselves.
On the Asiatic coast the Eskimo is known as the "Yuit," "Onkilon,"
"Chouklouks," or "Namollo"; while in the east appears the name
"Karalit."
None of this has thrown any light on the origin of the Eskimo.