See Also: polecat(medicine)
polecat(dictionary)
polecat(encyclopedia)
polecat(dictionary)

polecat (iou)



polecat noun. ME.
[Origin uncertain: perh. from Old French pole, poule chicken, fowl: see CAT noun1.]
A dark-brown European carnivorous mammal, Mustela putorius, of the weasel family, noted for its fetid smell; (freq. with specifying word) any of various other mustelids of the genus Mustela or related genera. Also (US), a skunk. ME.
fig. A detested or immoral person, esp. a prostitute. L16.
Comb.: polecat ferret a brown variety of the ferret.