Meaning
A Jamaican of East Indian descent, or the community descended from the indentured labourers brought from India after slavery. Depending on tone it ranges from a plain descriptor (as in 'coolie hair', long straight hair) to a term that can be offensive, so it is used with care.
Examples
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Har family a coolie from Clarendon.
Her family is of East Indian descent, from Clarendon.
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She have long coolie hair.
She has long, straight 'coolie' hair.
'coolie hair' describes long, straight hair; a common descriptive use.
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Use di word wid care, it can offend.
Use the word with care, it can offend.
Origin
From a Hindi/Tamil word for a hired labourer, applied during the indentureship era to Indian workers across the British colonies.
How it’s used
Carries a heavy colonial history. Neutral or even affectionate in some Jamaican use, but derogatory and offensive in others — tone and context decide. Documented here for a complete reference.