musquash

[ muhs-kwosh ]

noun

1. Chiefly British. the fur of the muskrat.

musquash

/ ˈmʌskwɒʃ /

noun

1. another name for muskrat , used esp to refer to its fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of musquash¹

1770–80, Americanism; < Massachusett cognate of Western Abenaki mòskwas (perhaps equivalent to Proto-Algonquian *mo·ŝk- bobbing above the surface of the water + *-exkwe· head + derivational elements, i.e., the one whose head bobs above the water)

Word History and Origins

Origin of musquash¹

C17: from Algonquian: compare Natick musquash, Abnaki muskwessu

Example Sentences

Equally curious with these are his descriptions of the “beasts living in the water,” as the otter, musquash, &c., and of “the birds and fowls, both of land and water.”

From Project Gutenberg

I remember especially one big musquash that I was going to shoot near one of my traps, when I stopped short at noticing some queer thing about him.

From Project Gutenberg

"While we were facing starvation, why stewed musquash sounded right good to us; but with a whole carcass of venison on our hands it's plain muskrat again; and there you are, Lil Artha."

From Project Gutenberg

In France they do well with cheaper skins, such as musquash, rabbit and hare, which they dye in addition to dressing.

From Project Gutenberg

The only reassuring note in the "musquash talk" to-day is sounded when the subject of candles is reached.

From Project Gutenberg