Note 10 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Dec. 03, 2016
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Service cost	$ 56	$ 111	$ 110
Interest cost	12,251	15,836	15,360
Expected return on assets	(26,167)	(25,458)	(24,776)
Prior service cost (benefit)	29	29	29
Actuarial loss	5,904	5,905	5,271
Curtailment loss
Settlement charge
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(7,927)	(3,577)	(4,006)
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Service cost	2,311	2,125	2,016
Interest cost	4,671	4,709	5,465
Expected return on assets	(11,105)	(9,853)	(9,919)
Prior service cost (benefit)	(4)	(4)	(3)
Actuarial loss	2,901	3,492	3,106
Curtailment loss			19
Settlement charge		16	135
Net periodic (benefit) cost	(1,226)	485	819
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Service cost	173	208	342
Interest cost	1,484	1,593	1,956
Expected return on assets	(6,896)	(5,788)	(5,470)
Prior service cost (benefit)			(41)
Actuarial loss	60	1,010	2,169
Curtailment loss
Settlement charge
Net periodic (benefit) cost	$ (5,179)	$ (2,977)	$ (1,044)