mink

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

mink, n. [Cf. 2d Minx.].

•  A carnivorous mammal of the genus Mustela (foremrly Putorius), allied to the weasel. The European mink is Mustela lutreola. The common American mink (Mustela vison) varies from yellowish brown to black. Its fur is highly valued. Called also minx, nurik, and vison.  [1913 Webster]
•  The fur of the mink{1}. Together with sable, it is one of the most expensive furs not taken from endangerd species. When the fur is taken from animals grown on a farm, it called ranch mink.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mink, n.
1 either of two small semi-aquatic stoatlike animals of the genus Mustela, M. vison of N. America and M. intreola of Europe.
2 the thick brown fur of these.
3 a coat made of this.

Etymology

cf. Sw. m{auml}nk, menk