[fos.sa] n, pl fos.sae [NL, fr. L, ditch] (1771): an anatomical pit, groove, or depression
[2]fossa n [Malagasy] (1838): a slender lithe carnivorous mammal (Cryptoprocta ferox) of Madagascar that resembles a cat esp. in having retractile claws but is usu. considered a viverrid