desman
noun
des·man
ˈdezmən
plural -s
1
a
: an aquatic insectivorous mammal (Desmana moschata) of Russia that resembles a mole
b
: a related animal (Galemys pyrenaicus) of the Pyrenees
2
: the fur or pelt of a desman
Word History
Etymology
short for Swedish desmansråtta, from desman musk (from Middle Low German desem, dessmer) + råtta rat; akin to Old English disma musk, Old Saxon desemo, Middle High German tiseme, tesem, all from a prehistoric West Germanic word borrowed from Medieval Latin bisamum musk, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew beśem pleasant aroma