Main Entry:

pole·cat

Pronunciation:

\ˈpōl-ˌkat\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural polecats or polecat

Etymology:

Middle English polcat, probably from Middle French poul, pol cock + Middle English cat; probably from its preying on poultry — more at pullet

Date:

14th century

1: any of several carnivorous mammals (as of the genera Mustela or Vormela) of the weasel family ; especially : a brown to black European mammal (M. putorius) from which the domesticated ferret is derived2: skunk