desman

[ des-muhn ]

noun,plural des·mans.
  1. either of two aquatic, insectivorous mammals, Myogale moschata, of southeastern Russia, or M. pyrenaica, of the Pyrenees, related to shrews.

Origin of desman

1
1765–75; <Swedish, short for desman-råtta muskrat

Words Nearby desman

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British Dictionary definitions for desman

desman

/ (ˈdɛsmən) /


nounplural -mans
  1. either of two molelike amphibious mammals Desmana moschata (Russian desman) or Galemys pyrenaicus (Pyrenean desman), having dense fur and webbed feet: family Talpidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)

Origin of desman

1
C18: from Swedish desmansråtta, from desman musk (of Germanic origin) + råtta rat

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