Note 10 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Changes in the Level 3 Plan Assets of Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	$ 378,099	$ 331,505
Currency change effect
Level 3 balance at end of year	346,460	378,099
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	187,708	163,322
Currency change effect	(9,191)	14,129
Level 3 balance at end of year	169,455	187,708
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	79,300	66,640
Currency change effect
Level 3 balance at end of year	82,910	79,300
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	291
Level 3 balance at end of year	266	291
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	660
Level 3 balance at end of year	662	660
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	78,894
Level 3 balance at end of year	82,446	78,894
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	291	320
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net	(25)	(29)
Level 3 balance at end of year	266	291
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	660
Level 3 balance at end of year	662	660
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	660	569
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3	30	21
Net gains	6	3
Currency change effect	(34)	67
Level 3 balance at end of year	662	660
Insurance [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Level 3 balance at beginning of year	78,894	66,064
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net	(671)	(570)
Net transfers into / (out of) level 3	(422)	(1,073)
Net gains	4,645	14,473
Level 3 balance at end of year	$ 82,446	$ 78,894