n.
Function: noun
Etymology: earlier vole-mouse, from vole- (of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse v ỏ llr field) + mouse; akin to Old English weald forest ― more at WOLD
Date: 1805
: any of various small rodents ( Microtus and related genera) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and are closely related to muskrats and lemmings