agouti

agou·ti

noun \ə-ˈgü-tē\

Definition of AGOUTI

1

: any of a genus (Dasyprocta) of tropical American rodents about the size of a rabbit

2

: a grizzled color of fur resulting from the barring of each hair in several alternate dark and light bands

Illustration of AGOUTI

Origin of AGOUTI

French, from Spanish agutí, ultimately from Tupi akutí

First Known Use: 1625

Rhymes with AGOUTI

Djibouti

agou·ti

noun \ə-ˈgüt-ē\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of AGOUTI

1

: a rodent of the genus Dasyprocta (especially D. leporina)

2

: a grizzled color of fur resulting from the barring of each hair in several alternate dark and light bands

agouti

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Agouti (Dasyprocta).—Warren Garst/Tom Stack & Associates

Any of several species (genus Dasyprocta) of rabbit-sized rodents that occur in the American tropics (southern Mexico to northern South America). Agoutis are 16–24 in. (40–60 cm) long and have a long body, small ears, either a vestigial tail or none at all, and slender feet with long, hooflike claws. Their wiry fur is reddish brown to blackish, with individual hairs banded in what is called the agouti pattern. Agoutis generally live in forests and eat roots, leaves, and fruit.