polecat
noun
pole·cat ˈpōl-ˌkat 
plural polecats or polecat
1
: any of several carnivorous mammals (as of the genera Mustela or Vormela) of the weasel family
especially : a brown to black European mammal (M. putorius) from which the domesticated ferret is derived
2
: skunk
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Two bobcats in Wisconsin, a coyote pup in Michigan and skunks in Canada have also tested positive for the virus, as have foxes, otters, a lynx, a polecat and a badger in Europe. 
New York Times, 18 June 2022 Stereoscopic souvenir cards show a faux mountainside crammed like a Victorian what-not shelf with deer, goats, polecats, and raptors. Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2020 Stoat – Related to weasels, polecats and ferrets, the stoat is a small but ferocious predator. Sarah Lazarus, CNN, 26 Dec. 2019 Because Wajid Ali Shah had hundreds of wives and concubines, people identifying themselves as descendants are all over the place in Lucknow, fighting like polecats over the veracity of one another’s claims. Ellen Barry, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2019 The population of animals like polecats, pine martens and badgers have sprung back, now that they are not longer widely trapped or killed for being pests. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 16 June 2018 The species cannot survive without reproducing quickly, since most hamsters only live a year or two before falling prey to a fox, polecat or raptor. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 They are related generally to weasels, skunks, minks and polecats (not to be confused with Old West outlaws of a lesser rank with the same name). Fred Dickey, sandiegouniontribune.com, 3 Sep. 2017 See More
New York Times, 18 June 2022 Stereoscopic souvenir cards show a faux mountainside crammed like a Victorian what-not shelf with deer, goats, polecats, and raptors. Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 10 Mar. 2020 Stoat – Related to weasels, polecats and ferrets, the stoat is a small but ferocious predator. Sarah Lazarus, CNN, 26 Dec. 2019 Because Wajid Ali Shah had hundreds of wives and concubines, people identifying themselves as descendants are all over the place in Lucknow, fighting like polecats over the veracity of one another’s claims. Ellen Barry, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2019 The population of animals like polecats, pine martens and badgers have sprung back, now that they are not longer widely trapped or killed for being pests. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 16 June 2018 The species cannot survive without reproducing quickly, since most hamsters only live a year or two before falling prey to a fox, polecat or raptor. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 They are related generally to weasels, skunks, minks and polecats (not to be confused with Old West outlaws of a lesser rank with the same name). Fred Dickey, sandiegouniontribune.com, 3 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English polcat, probably from Middle French poul, pol cock + Middle English cat; probably from its preying on poultry — more at pullet
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
polecat
noun
pole·cat ˈpōl-ˌkat
plural polecats or polecat
1
: a brown or black European animal related to the weasel
2
: skunk