| polecat | <zoology> A small European carnivore of the Weasel family (Putorius foetidus). Its scent glands secrete a substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odour. Called also fitchet, foulmart, and European ferret. The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied species. Origin: Probably fr. F. Poule hen, and originally, a poultry cat, because it feeds on poultry. See Poultry. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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