desman

noun

des·man

ˈdezmən

plural -s

: an aquatic insectivorous mammal (Desmana moschata) of Russia that resembles a mole

: a related animal (Galemys pyrenaicus) of the Pyrenees

: the fur or pelt of a desman

Word History

Etymology

short for Swedish desmansråtta, from desman musk (from Middle Low German desem, dessmer) + råtta rat; akin to Old English disma musk, Old Saxon desemo, Middle High German tiseme, tesem, all from a prehistoric West Germanic word borrowed from Medieval Latin bisamum musk, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew beśem pleasant aroma