nutria

nu·tria

noun \ˈnü-trē-ə, ˈnyü-\

Definition of NUTRIA

1

: the durable usually light brown fur of a nutria

2

: a large South American semiaquatic rodent (Myocastor coypus) with webbed hind feet and a round nearly hairless tail that has been introduced into parts of Europe, Asia, and North America

Origin of NUTRIA

American Spanish, from Spanish, otter, modification of Latin lutra; probably akin to Old English oter otter

First Known Use: 1820