Main Entry: rac·coon

Variant(s): also ra·coon \ra-ˈkün also rə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural raccoon or raccoons also racoon or racoons

Etymology: Virginia Algonquian raugroughcun, arocoun

Date: 1608

1 a : a small nocturnal carnivore (Procyon lotor) of North America that is chiefly gray, has a black mask and bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly in trees, and has a varied diet including small animals, fruits, and nuts b : the pelt of this animal
2 : any of several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

[raccoon illustration]