desman

[ des-muhn ]

noun

, plural des·mans.

1. either of two aquatic, insectivorous mammals, Myogale moschata, of southeastern Russia, or M. pyrenaica, of the Pyrenees, related to shrews.

desman

/ ˈdɛsmən /

noun

1. either of two molelike amphibious mammals Desmana moschata ( Russian desman ) or Galemys pyrenaicus ( Pyrenean desman ), having dense fur and webbed feet: family Talpidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)

Word History and Origins

Origin of desman¹

1765–75; < Swedish, short for desman-råtta muskrat

Word History and Origins

Origin of desman¹

C18: from Swedish desmansråtta, from desman musk (of Germanic origin) + råtta rat

Example Sentences

Desman, des′man, n. a kind of musk-rat, found in Russia and the Pyrenees.

From Project Gutenberg