/ra koohn"/ , n. , pl. raccoons , ( esp. collectively ) raccoon .
1. a nocturnal carnivore, Procyon lotor, having a masklike black stripe across the eyes, a sharp snout, and a bushy, ringed tail, native to North and Central America and introduced elsewhere for its valuable fur.
2. the thick, brownish-gray fur of this animal, with gray, black-tipped guard hairs.
3. any of various related animals of the genus Procyon, of Central American islands, some now rare.
[ 1600-10, Amer.; aroughcun ]