n.
Pronunciation: ' p ō l- ˌ kat
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural polecats or polecat
Etymology: Middle English polcat, probably from Middle French poul, pol cock + Middle English cat; probably from its preying on poultry ― more at PULLET
Date: 14th century
1 : any of several carnivorous mammals (as of the genera Mustela or Vormela ) of the weasel family especially : a brown to black European mammal ( M. putorius ) from which the domesticated ferret is derived
2 : SKUNK