Main Entry: [1]hoodoo Pronunciation: 'h(")dFunction: noun Inflected Form(s): plural hoodoos Etymology: of African origin; akin to Hausa hu3'du3'ba1 to arouse resentment Date: 1875 1 : a body of practices of sympathetic magic traditional especially among blacks in the southern U.S. 2 : a natural column of rock in western No. America often in fantastic form 3 : something that brings bad luck - hoodooism /-"i-z&m/ noun 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Merriam-Webster Privacy Policy I assume we're talking about def. #2 here.