Note 11 - Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 01, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017
UNITED STATES
Settlement payments		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Pension Plan [Member] | UNITED STATES
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		336,889	379,359
Service cost		4	56	111
Interest cost		14,691	12,251	15,836
Participant contributions		0	0
Plan amendments		0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	49,211	(33,052)
Other		0	0
Settlement payments		0	0
Benefits paid		(20,407)	(21,725)
Foreign currency translation effect		0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year		380,388	336,889	379,359
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		346,460	378,099
Actual return on plan assets		54,527	(11,768)
Employer contributions		3,124	1,854
Participant contributions		0	0
Other		0	0
Benefits paid	[2]	(20,584)	(21,725)
Foreign currency translation effect		0	0
Level 3 balance at end of year		383,527	346,460	378,099
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		3,139	9,571
Pension Plan [Member] | Foreign Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		208,075	223,982
Service cost		2,237	2,311	2,125
Interest cost		4,678	4,671	4,709
Participant contributions		0	0
Plan amendments		0	1,600
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	30,517	(3,377)
Other		(103)	0
Settlement payments		(307)	0
Benefits paid		(8,356)	(10,059)
Foreign currency translation effect		(2,199)	(11,053)
Benefit obligation at end of year		234,542	208,075	223,982
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		169,455	187,708
Actual return on plan assets		22,945	(1,240)
Employer contributions		2,437	2,237
Participant contributions		0	0
Other		(103)	0
Benefits paid	[2]	(8,356)	(10,059)
Foreign currency translation effect		(1,047)	(9,191)
Level 3 balance at end of year		185,331	169,455	187,708
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		(49,211)	(38,620)
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year		36,842	43,325
Service cost		98	173	208
Interest cost		1,550	1,484	1,593
Participant contributions		240	330
Plan amendments		0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	[1]	3,749	(5,225)
Other		0	0
Settlement payments		0	0
Benefits paid		(3,223)	(3,245)
Foreign currency translation effect		0	0
Benefit obligation at end of year		39,256	36,842	43,325
Level 3 balance at beginning of year		82,910	79,300
Actual return on plan assets		12,046	4,058
Employer contributions		2,501	2,467
Participant contributions		240	330
Other		0	0
Benefits paid	[2]	(3,223)	(3,245)
Foreign currency translation effect		0	0
Level 3 balance at end of year		94,474	82,910	$ 79,300
Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end		$ 55,218	$ 46,068

[1] Actuarial loss in 2019 and actuarial gain in 2018 for the U.S. Plans is primarily due to assumption changes. Actuarial loss in 2019 and actuarial gain in 2018 for the Non-U.S. Plans are due to both assumption changes and plan experience.

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