C19: from Latin: ditch, from fossus dug up, from fodere to dig up
fossa in British English2
(ˈfɒsə)
noun
a large primitive catlike viverrine mammal, Cryptoprocta ferox, inhabiting the forests of Madagascar: order Carnivora (carnivores). It has thick reddish-brown fur and preys on lemurs, poultry, etc