marmot

UK /ˈmɑː.mət/ · US /ˈmɑɹ.mət/

Etymology From Middle French marmotte, from Old French marmotte; further etymology uncertain, possibly from a Gallo-Romance base *marm- (“to mumble; to murmur”) (referring to the sound made by the marmot when eating; possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *mur- (whence murmur) and ultimately imitative; compare also French marmot and marmonner) + Middle French -otte (diminutive suffix). Akin to French marmotte, Italian marmotta, Engadin Romansh murmont, Old High German *murmento (dialectal German Murmentel, standard Murmeltier); see also Latin mūs montānus (literally “mountain rat”).

Derived terms

Alaska marmot, alpine marmot, black-capped marmot, bobak marmot, gray marmot, Himalayan marmot, hoary marmot, long-tailed marmot, marmot squirrel, Menzbier's marmot, olympic marmot, prairie marmot, tarbagan marmot, Vancouver Island marmot, Vancouver marmot, whistling marmot, yellow-bellied marmot

Related terms

groundhog, woodchuck