-mən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from Greek ichneumōn, mongoose, small wasp, literally, tracker, from ichneuein to track, from ichnos track, footstep; the mongoose so called from the ancient belief that it hunted out the eggs of the crocodile; the wasp so called from its hunting of spiders
1. : mongoose ; especially : the No. African mongoose ( Herpestes ichneumon ) that was highly regarded in ancient times for being supposed to devour crocodiles' eggs
2. : ichneumon fly