ˈmär]t ə n, ˈmȧ], ]d.ə̇n, ]tə̇n noun
( plural marten or martens )
Etymology: Middle English martryn, from Middle French martrine marten fur, from Old French, from feminine of martrin of a marten, from martre marten, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English mearth marten, Old Frisian merth, Old High German mardar, Old Norse mörthr marten; perhaps akin to Lithuanian marti bride, Welsh merch daughter, girl — more at marry
1.
a. or marten cat : any of several slender-bodied carnivorous mammals (genus Martes ) that are larger than weasels and of somewhat arboreal habits and that have a rather long tail and a coat of fine soft fur which is light-colored below and rich brown or gray above — compare american sable , fisher , pine marten , stone marten
b. : yellow-throated marten
2. : the fur or pelt of a marten