Etymology From French couguar, from Portuguese cuguardo, a deformation of Brazilian Portuguese suçuarana (earlier çuçuarana), from Old Tupi sûasuarana.
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Canada, US A wild feline, of species Puma concolor, native to the Americas.
They are found in Brasil, Paraguay, and in the country of the Amazons; and there is reason to believe that the animal, described by some travellers, under the name of the Ocorome, in Peru, is the same as the cougar, as well as that in the country of the Iroquois, which has been considered as a tiger, thought it is neither striped like that animal, nor spotted like the panther.1792, Georges-Louis Leclerc, anonymous translator, Buffon's Natural History, volume 7, London: Printed by J.S. Barr, Bridges-Street, Covent-Garden, translation of original in French:
The Cougar has entirely disappeared, or is very rarely met with. This animal was about the size of the wolf, of a gray color, strong, active, fierce and untameable.1831, Francis Smith Eastman, A history of the state of New York:
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The only indigenous long tailed cat in America north of the parallel of 30 degrees is the cougar. The wild cats, so called, are lynxes with short tails; and of these there are three distinct species.1854, “The cougar, and an adventure with one”, in The Anglo-American Magazine, volume 4, page 84:
Winter’s task was to illustrate cougars—also known as mountain lions—in an urban environment. His research led him to biologist Jeff Sikich, whose work with a mountain lion population in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on the outskirts of L.A. seemed promising.2013 November 14, Alexa Keefe, Steve Winter, “A Cougar Ready for His Closeup”, in National Geographic, archived from the original on 01 Mar 2021:
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Canada, US, Derogatory, Slang An older woman who actively seeks the casual, often sexual, companionship of younger men, by implication a female “sexual predator”.
A cougar approached Warren at the Palomino Club and asked for a dance.
I am 26 years old and in a respectful but super-sexual relationship with a recent divorcée in her 40s. (A "cougar," in local slang.)[2001 June 7, Dan Savage, “Count Every Vote”, in The Stranger:
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Barney Stinson: She's a cougar, Ted! / Robin Scherbatsky: I thought you said you can't be a cougar if you're over 50.2010, “Home Wreckers”, in How I Met Your Mother, season 5, episode 20 (television production):
“Younger can be good. How much younger?” Regina asked, inspecting the appetizer plates for any lingering bites. “I don't know,” Alexa said frowning. “Why does that matter?” “Less than eight years makes you a Puma. Over eight years makes you a Cougar,” Regina said wisely, grinning as Lauren nodded excitedly in agreement.2011, Donna McDonald, Dating A Cougar, →ISBN:
“Early on, when we were dating, I was like, ‘Do you think I’m a cougar?’” she recalls with a laugh. When Woolfolk started growing out his salt-and-pepper beard, she was thrilled.2026 May 7, Clover Hope, “‘Do you think I’m a cougar?’: five influencer couples on their age-gap relationships”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
Etymology In reference to the Washington State Cougars, one of the university's sports teams.
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Slang A student or alumnus of the Washington State University.
The most helpful part of having a Washington State MBA is using the Cougar connection. Boeing is the most common example; you can always find a Cougar at Boeing who is in the department you're interested in. Once a Coug always a Coug.2007, Carolyn C. Wise, Stephanie Hauser, The Business School Buzz Book, page 572: