woodchuck
/ˈwʊdtʃʌk
/noun
A North American marmot with a heavy body and short legs.
- Marmota monax, family Sciuridae.
- Squirrels range in size from the mouse-sized African pygmy squirrel to the robust marmots and woodchucks (genus Marmota).
- Unlike other marmots, woodchucks don't live in big colonies underground.
Origin
Late 17th century: alteration (by association with wood) of an American Indian name; compare with Cree wuchak, otchock.