nounWord forms: plural -manseither of two molelike amphibious mammals Desmana moschata (Russian desman) or Galemys pyrenaicus (Pyrenean desman), having dense fur and webbed feet: family Talpidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)
Word origin
C18: from Swedish
desmansråtta, from
desman musk (of Germanic origin) +
råtta rat