a means of communication between primitive peoples over large areas, as by drum beats
2.
a means of spreading rumour, gossip, etc
bush telegraph in American English
noun
1.
any system of communication in which the natives of a jungle or bush region transmit news rapidly, as by runners, drum codes, or smoke signals
2. Austral
a.
any chain of communications by which criminals, originally bushrangers, are warned of police movements
b. slang
rumor; the grapevine
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: fan-tan, hat trick, knockabout, massage, musical chairs