Musk"rat` (?), n.
1. Zool.
A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent (Fiber zibethicus). It resembles a rat in color and having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the bind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having a strong odor of musk. Called also musquash, musk beaver, and ondatra.
<-- and sometimes water rat -->
2. Zool.
The musk shrew.
3. Zool.
The desman.
© Webster 1913.