either of two molelike amphibious mammals Desmana moschata (Russian desman) or Galemys pyrenaicus (Pyrenean desman), having dense fur and webbed feet: family Talpidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)
Word origin
C18: from Swedish desmansråtta, from desman musk (of Germanic origin) + råtta rat
desman in American English
(ˈdɛsmən)
noun
a molelike, aquatic insectivore mammal (family Talpidae) with webbed feet and a long, flexible snout: one species (Desmana moschata), trapped for its fur, is found in Russia and the other (Galemys pyrenaicus) in the Pyrenees