Tim·buk·tu (tĭm'bŭk-tōō', tĭm-bŭk'tōō) A city of central Mali near the Niger River northeast of Bamako. Founded in the 11th century by the Tuareg, it became a major trading center (primarily for gold and salt) by the 14th century. Timbuktu was sacked in 1593 by invaders from Morocco and fell to the French in 1894. Population: 32,400.