bandicoot

/ˈbændɪˌkuːt/

bandicoot

English Noun

Definition

Any of various small marsupials of Australia and New Guinea, some with distinctive long snouts, of the family Peramelidae.

Etymology

Ultimately from Telugu పందికొక్కు (pandikokku), from పంది (pandi, “pig, boar”) + కొక్కు (kokku, “bandicoot”); first used of Asian murids, now called bandicoot rats, thence applied to the Australian marsupials which bear some resemblance.