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.

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.

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