/munt"jak/ , n.
1. any of various small deer of the genus Muntiacus, of southern and eastern Asia and the adjacent islands, esp. M. muntjac, of Java, India, etc., having well-developed horns on bony pedicels.
2. any of the small deer of the related genus Elaphodus, of China and Tibet, having minute horns.
Also, muntjak . Also called barking deer .
[ 1790-1800; ( man y cak a kind of chevrotain; reason for subsequent application to this deer uncert. ]