woodchuck

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Cree ocêk, otchek (“fisher”), borrowed from Ojibwe ojiig (“fisher, marten”), or a similar term in a related Algonquian language, subsequently reapplied to the groundhog.

An earlier form of this word, woodshock, still sometimes designates the marten. Also a doublet of wejack.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈwʊd.t͡ʃʌk/

Noun

woodchuck (plural woodchucks)

  1. (Northern US) A rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots, Marmota monax.
    Synonyms: groundhog, whistle pig, land-beaver, moonack

Translations

Further reading
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