Word Origin & History
otter
O.E. otr, otor, from P.Gmc. *utraz (cf. O.N. otr, Swed. utter, Dan. odder, Du. otter, Ger. Otter), from PIE *udros, lit. "water-creature" (cf. Skt. udrah, Avestan udra "otter;" Gk. hydra "water-serpent," enydris "otter;" L. lutra, O.C.S. vydra, Lith. udra, O.Ir. odoirne "otter"), from root *udr- "water."