any small predatory viverrine mammal of the genus Herpestes and related genera, occurring in Africa and from S Europe to SE Asia, typically havinga long tail and brindled coat
Word origin
C17: from Marathi mangūs, of Dravidian origin
mongoose in American English
(ˈmɑŋˌgus; ˈmɑnˌgus)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmonˌgooses
any of various civetlike, Old World carnivores (family Viverridae); esp., any of a sometimes domesticated genus (Herpestes) noted for their ability to kill poisonous snakes, rodents, etc.