kinkajou

/ˈkɪŋkəˌd͡ʒuː/

kinkajou

English Noun

Definition

Potos flavus, a carnivorous mammal of Central America and South America with a long, prehensile tail, related to the raccoon.

Etymology

From French quincajou, from an Algonquian word, probably originally meaning ‘wolverine’ (compare Algonquin Kwingwaage, Ojibwe gwiingwa'aage (“wolverine”)), which was later transferred to the South American animal. Related to carcajou.