polecat

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a dark-brown Eurasian mustelid that releases a strong-smelling secretion when threatened

   The European polecat hunted rodents along the edge of the woodland.

2. 2
   noun

   a skunk, especially in North American informal or historical usage

   Early settlers often called the striped skunk a polecat because of its defensive odor.

From Middle English polcat or pulkat. The first element is uncertain, but it may be related to Old French poule, 'hen,' making the compound roughly 'poultry cat.' North American English later extended the name to the unrelated but similarly odorous skunk.

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