any of a genus (Phalanger, family Phalangeridae) of sluggish, tree-dwelling phalangers native to NE Australia and nearby islands, mostly vegetarian with foxlike ears and a prehensile tail
Origin:
ModL < native name in New Guinea
See cuscus in American Heritage Dictionary 4
cus·cus
noun
Any of several nocturnal marsupials of the genus Phalanger of New Guinea, Australia, and adjacent islands, having large eyes, small ears, a pointed snout, and a long prehensile tail.
Origin: New Latin, probably from a New Guinean word.