online medical dictionary | definition of raccoon

<zoology> A North American nocturnal carnivore of the genus procyon of the family procyonidae (Procyon lotor) which allied to the bears, but much smaller, and having a long, full tail, banded with black and gray. Two subgenera and seven species are currently recognised.

Its body is gray, varied with black and white. Called also coon, and mapach.

Origin: F. Raton, prop, a little rat, fr. Rat rat, perhaps of German origin. See Rat.

(01 Mar 1998)