musquash

[prettygoodword]

musquash (MUHS-kwosh) - n., muskrat, a large aquatic North American rodent (Ondatra zibethica) having a musky odor; the light-brown fur from this animal.


Musquash is the older form of the name, now rare, and when used is more often the fur than the beastie. Said beastie, by the way, while native to temperate North America, is an invasive species across Eurasia and parts of South America. Obligatory Captain & Tennille. The name comes from some Algonquian language, possibly Abenaki mòskwas or the Massachusett cognate, apparently derived from Proto-Algonquian roots meaning head-bobs-above-water, referring to its appearance while swimming.


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Admin: I'm off for the holiday, but should be back and posting mid/late next week. Have a safe and happy solstice, everyone!

---L.

Comments

[flwyd]

Given the trouble Louisiana has had with the nutria, I suppose there's poetic justice in the musquash being an invasive species in South America.

[prettygoodword]

Heh.