raccoon

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a nocturnal North American mammal with a black facial mask, dexterous forepaws, and a ringed tail

   A raccoon opened the loose lid and searched the bin for food.

2. 2
   noun

   the fur or pelt of a raccoon

   The historical exhibit included a cap trimmed with raccoon.

Simplified etymology

Raccoon entered English in the early 17th century from Algonquian aroughcun. Early English records show the borrowed name in many different spellings.

From an early English rendering of Powhatan arahkun, based on a verb meaning 'he scratches with his hands.' The name refers to the animal's notably dexterous forepaws and entered colonial English in the early seventeenth century.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary