Polecat
/ˈpoʊl.kæt/noun
A small carnivorous mammal of the weasel family, especially one with a dark coat and pale facial markings.
Did you know?Despite the name, polecats are not cats at all—the word likely began in the Middle English/Anglo-French world as a pejorative label for a poultry-killing beast, with the first element tied to poultry or fowl.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
ME
polecat
“A small, foul-smelling carnivorous animal; also used as an insult for a disagreeable person.”
Anglo-French
AF
pole cat / polcat
“A cat-like animal associated with poultry raids; the form is obscured and likely influenced by a term for poultry.”
Old French
OF
poule
“Hen, domestic fowl.”
Latin
LA
pullus
“Young animal; chick, poultry.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂- / *pel-
“Root(s) associated with young animals and breeding; the exact prehistory is uncertain and debated.”