musk deer

American  

noun

1. a small, hornless deer, Moschus moschiferus, of central Asia, the male of which secretes musk: now rare.

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musk deer British  

noun

1. a small central Asian mountain deer, Moschus moschiferus. The male has long tusklike canine teeth and secretes musk

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Etymology

Origin of musk deer

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

The last time a scientist confirmed a spotting of the elusive Kashmir musk deer, World War II had just drawn to a close a few years earlier.

From Forbes • Nov. 5, 2014

North Korean officials said the players took traditional musk deer gland as therapy after they were struck by lightning during training.

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2013

At the 2011 Women’s World Cup, North Korea’s soccer team claimed that positive doping tests resulted from musk deer gland therapy used to treat players who had been struck by lightning.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2013

The positive tests were blamed on medicines made from the glands of musk deer.

From New York Times • Jul. 30, 2012

Two of the Mongols had missed a bear, I had seen a roebuck, and the old man had lost a wounded musk deer on the mountain ridge above the camp.

From Across Mongolian Plains A Naturalist's Account of China's 'Great Northwest' by Andrews, Roy Chapman