ferret

Meanings

Noun

• An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
• The black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes (species).
• A diligent searcher.
• A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.

Verb

• To hunt game with ferrets.
• To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.

Origin

• From Middle English furet, ferret, from Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin *furittum ("weasel, ferret"), diminutive of Latin fūr ("thief").
• Italian fioretto