Note 10 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2016	Nov. 28, 2015
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$ 362,213	$ 376,098
Service cost		111	110	$ 107
Interest cost		15,836	15,360	16,322
Participant contributions
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	14,405	(2,253)
Other
Business acquisition, benefit obligations acquired		6,518
Settlement payments			(8,399)
Benefits paid		(19,724)	(18,703)
Foreign currency translation effect
Benefit obligation at end of year		379,359	362,213	376,098
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		331,505	336,461
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired		4,605
Actual return on plan assets		60,176	20,610
Employer contributions		1,537	1,536
Participant contributions
Settlement payments			(8,399)
Other
Benefits paid	[2]	(19,724)	(18,703)
Foreign currency translation effect
Level 3 balance at end of year		378,099	331,505	336,461
Plan assets (less than) in excess of benefit obligation as of year end		(1,260)	(30,708)
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		202,176	201,172
Service cost		2,125	2,016	1,924
Interest cost		4,709	5,465	5,986
Participant contributions
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	(6,636)	15,254
Other			19
Business acquisition, benefit obligations acquired		12,156
Settlement payments		(62)	(511)
Benefits paid		(8,495)	(7,382)
Foreign currency translation effect		18,009	(13,857)
Benefit obligation at end of year		223,982	202,176	201,172
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		163,323	172,241
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired
Actual return on plan assets		16,889	10,516
Employer contributions		1,863	2,319
Participant contributions
Settlement payments
Other		(272)	98
Benefits paid	[2]	(8,223)	(7,382)
Foreign currency translation effect		14,129	(14,470)
Level 3 balance at end of year		187,708	163,323	172,241
Plan assets (less than) in excess of benefit obligation as of year end		(36,274)	(38,853)
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		42,721	49,923
Service cost		208	342	449
Interest cost		1,593	1,956	2,042
Participant contributions		200	282
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	2,078	(6,450)
Other
Business acquisition, benefit obligations acquired
Settlement payments
Benefits paid		(3,475)	(3,332)
Foreign currency translation effect
Benefit obligation at end of year		43,325	42,721	49,923
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		66,640	62,585
Business acquisition, plan assets acquired
Actual return on plan assets		14,631	4,388
Employer contributions		1,304	2,717
Participant contributions		200	282
Settlement payments
Other
Benefits paid	[2]	(3,475)	(3,332)
Foreign currency translation effect
Level 3 balance at end of year		79,300	66,640	$ 62,585
Plan assets (less than) in excess of benefit obligation as of year end		$ 35,975	$ 23,919

[1] Actuarial gain in 2017 for the U.S. Plans is due to plan experience. Actuarial loss in 2016 for the Non-U.S. Plans includes a $16,330 loss due to assumption changes net of a ($1,076) gain due to plan experience.

[2] Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.