noun

1. any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing rodents about the size of a large rat, with wide cheek pouches; pocket gopher
2. any of a number of striped ground squirrels (genus Citellus) found on the prairies of North America

3. Etymology: earlier magofer, prob. < AmInd

   a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) found in SE U.S.
4. Informal a person born or living in Minnesota, called the Gopher State

Etymology: < ? Fr gaufre, honeycomb (see goffer): so called from its habit of burrowing

noun