Mahout

[Tanya Shivari]

(in South and SE Asia) a person who works with, rides, and tends an elephant.

[Dave Paprocki]

(especially in S and SE Asia) a person who rides, controls, and cares for a working elephant

[Julian]

Mahout is defined as being a person who drives, takes care of and controls [elephants]. Traditionally, life-time or career mahouts were [knowledgeable], highly experienced individuals well-versed in elephant-rearing skills. These were true masters with an intimate understanding of their wards. Men who possessed an exceptional ability to communicate and control their elephants with simple verbal commands and touch. See also [elephant-keeper] and Cornac.