/rayn"dear'/ , n. , pl. reindeer , ( occasionally ) reindeers .
any of several large deer of the genus Rangifer, of northern and arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, both male and female of which have antlers.
[ 1350-1400; ME raynder ( e ) hreindyri, equiv. to hreinn reindeer + dyr animal (c. DEER) ]