See Also: Muskrat(medicine)
muskrat(dictionary)
muskrat(encyclopedia)
muskrat(dictionary)

muskrat (iou)



muskrat noun. Pl. -s, same. E17.
[from Algonquian, assim. to MUSK noun and RAT noun1 (cf. MUSHRAT, MUSQUASH). In sense 2 from MUSK noun + RAT noun1.]
a. A large semi-aquatic N. American rodent, Ondatra zibethicus, resembling a beaver; also (in full round-tailed muskrat), a similar animal, Neofiber alleni, found in Florida. Also called musquash. E17.
b. An inhabitant of a low-lying district, esp. of the St Clair Flats in Michigan. US colloq. M19.
c. The skin or thick brown fur of a muskrat. L19.
Any of various somewhat ratlike animals having a musky odour, e.g. a musk shrew, a desman, a pilori, or a musk kangaroo. L17.
Comb.: muskrat house the winter dwelling of a muskrat, built from plant stems etc.