PORCUPINE

[por.cu.pine] n, pl porcupines also porcupine [ME porkepin, fr. MF porc espin, fr. OIt porcospino, fr. L porcus pig + spina spine, prickle] (15c): any of various relatively large rodents having stiff sharp erectile bristles mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World arboreal family (Erethizontidae)