city, western suburb of Milwaukee, Milwaukee county, southeastern Wisconsin, U.S. It lies on the Menomonee River, just north of West Allis. Potawatomi and Menominee Indians were among the early inhabitants of the area. Settled in 1835, the community was at first attached to the township of Milwaukee. Charles Hart, an early settler, used the river's waterpower to establish a gristmill and a sawmill. In 1842 the community separated from Milwaukee and was named Wauwatosa, for the Potawatomi chief Wauwautaesie and the Potawatomi word for “firefly.” Primarily residential, the city has some manufacturing (notably engines and metal products) and serves as a distribution centre. The Milwaukee County Zoo is on the city's southern border. Inc. village, 1892; city, 1897. Pop. (1990) 49,366; (2000) 47,271.