Mungoose
/ˈmʌŋɡuːs/noun
A variant spelling of mongoose, a small carnivorous mammal known for hunting snakes.
Did you know?Although mongooses are famous for confronting cobras, they are not immune to snake venom; their agility and partial biological resistance help them survive these dangerous encounters.
Etymological Timeline
Early modern South Asia
Marathi
muṅgūs
“Mongoose; the South Asian animal later borrowed into European languages.”
17th Century
Portuguese
mangusto
“Mongoose, borrowed from an Indian vernacular form.”
Late 17th Century
English
mongoose
“The animal’s name, adopted into English from Portuguese or related European forms.”
18th Century
English
mungoose
“A variant spelling of mongoose, reflecting attempts to represent its unfamiliar foreign pronunciation.”
Modern English
English
mungoose
“An established but uncommon variant spelling of mongoose.”