noun
or mier·kat ˈmi(ə)rˌkat
( -s )
Etymology: Afrikaans meerkat, from Dutch, a kind of monkey, from Middle Dutch meercatte monkey, from meer sea + catte cat; from the fact that monkeys came to Europe from overseas
1. : any of several mongooses ; especially : a mongoose ( Cynictis penicillata ) of southern Africa
2. : suricate