any of various civetlike, Old World carnivores (family Viverridae); esp., any of a sometimes domesticated genus (Herpestes) noted for their ability to kill poisonous snakes, rodents, etc.
Origin:
Marathi mangūs
See mongoose in American Heritage Dictionary 4
nounpl.mon·goos·es
Any of various Old World carnivorous mammals of the genus Herpestes and related genera, having a slender agile body and a long tail and noted for the ability to seize and kill venomous snakes.