civet cat

American  

noun

1. cacomistle.

2. the fur of the cacomistle.

3. Western U.S. skunk.

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Etymology

Origin of civet cat

An Americanism dating back to 1600–10

Example Sentences

Scientists believe the virus may have originated in bats and was transmitted to another mammal such as a civet cat or an armadillo-like pangolin before being passed on to people.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 10, 2020

McCall told me about civet, a musk material from the civet cat, which was part of the original formula for Chanel No. 5; it’s now produced synthetically.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 26, 2017

Also called a civet cat, the small, furry mammal with big innocent-looking eyes is unrelated to real cats, being more of a first cousin to the mongoose.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is a "genuine civet cat," "Alaska sable" or "black marten."

From Time Magazine Archive

“What I do happen to know,” I said, being maybe a tiny bit coy, “is that a civet cat got all of the Nguzas’ hens last Sunday.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver