DCHP-1 Online

musquash Algonk.: cf. Ojibwa miskwasi

• 1 n. an aquatic rodent, Ondatra zibethica, common to many parts of North America and widely trapped for its valuable fur.

  See also: muskrat (def. 1)  

  • 1763  (1791)  The country every where abounds with wild animals, particularly bears, moose . . . wolves, musquashes. . . .
  • 1769  (1898)  We have sent all the furs and everything received except about 60 lbs. Castor and a quantity of Musquash skins that could not be brought down.
  • 1957  He doesn't know a beaver from a musquash.

• 2 n. the valuable fur of the muskrat.

  See also: muskrat (def. 2)  

  • 1680  (1945)  10 Musk Quash 16 Beaver peeces Valued att 15s.
  • 1765  To be Sold at Public Vendue, On Friday Morning next . . . 675 Racoons . . . 1590 Musquash, 364 lbs. Indian half dress'd Deer, with some other Peltries.
  • 1919  These are known to us as muskrats, the Algonquin name being mooskovesson, from which we get the name of the fur, musquash.
  • 1957  Of all pelts brought in--which included fox, marten, mink, musquash . . . wolverine or "skunk bear"--beaver remained supreme.

• 3 n. the flesh of the muskrat used as food.

  See also: muskrat (def. 3)  

  • 1909  Musquash in the spring is said to be tender and toothsome, but that overpowering smell of musk proved too much for our determination.