Main Entry: pa·ca

Pronunciation: \ˈpä-kə, ˈpa-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Portuguese, from Tupi páka

Date: 1657

: either of two large nocturnal chiefly Central and South American rodents (Agouti paca syn. Cuniculus paca and A. taczanowskii syn. C. taczanowskii) that typically have a white-spotted brownish coat

[paca illustration]