Marmotton
/ˈmɑːr.mət.ən/noun
A young marmot.
Did you know?The deeper origin of marmot is uncertain: scholars have proposed an imitative Alpine name, while the supposed Latin source “mountain mouse” is generally treated as a later folk explanation.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle Ages
Old French
marmot
“A child or small creature; later associated with the marmot”
16th Century
French
marmotte
“Marmot, the burrowing Alpine rodent”
Early Modern French
French
marmotton
“A young marmot, formed with a diminutive ending”
19th Century
English
marmotton
“A young marmot, borrowed from French”
Modern English
English
marmotton
“An uncommon or archaic term for a juvenile marmot”