Museau
/ˈmjuː.zoʊ/noun
A zoological term for the muzzle or snout of an animal.
Did you know?Museau is a French loanword used in English zoological writing, while its close relative “muzzle” entered English through Anglo-French.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
mūsum
“Snout or muzzle; the ultimate source is uncertain.”
Old French
Old French
musel
“Muzzle or snout, formed with a diminutive suffix.”
Middle French
French
museau
“The muzzle or snout of an animal.”
14th–15th Century
Anglo-French
musel
“Muzzle; a related form that contributed to English “muzzle.””
Modern English
English
museau
“A specialized zoological term for an animal’s muzzle or snout.”