Definition of the word muskrat

The word "muskrat" comes from two Native American terms: "musk," which refers to a strong-smelling substance secreted by muskreats as a defense mechanism, and "rat," a word commonly used to describe small rodents. The Algonquian language, spoken by various indigenous tribes in North America, originally coined these terms. The muskrat's fur was also commonly used to make warm clothing, and its musk was traded and used by European settlers as a valuable commodity in the fur trade. The combination of these two words perfectly describes the muskrat, an aquatic rodent with a distinct musk odor that's often compared to a beaver's in appearance and lifestyle. Today, the term "muskrat" is commonly used by biologists, hunters, and anglers to refer to this elusive but important North American animal.