n.
Pronunciation: ' ham(p)-st ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from Old High German hamustro, of Slavic origin; akin to Old Russian chom ě stor ŭ hamster, of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan hama ē star- oppressor
Date: 1607
: any of a subfamily (Cricetinae) of small Old World rodents having very large cheek pouches