ˈhamztə(r), ˈhaam-, -m(p)st- noun
( -s )
Etymology: German, from Old High German hamustro (akin to Old Saxon hamustra hamster), of Slavic origin; akin to Old Slavic choměstorŭ hamster
: any of numerous Old World rodents of Cricetus and related genera having very large cheek pouches and somewhat resembling the American white-footed mouse but short-tailed and commonly larger and of burrowing habits — see golden hamster