otter

noun pl. otters or otter

1. any of various furry carnivores (family Mustelidae) with webbed feet used in swimming and a long, slightly flattened tail; esp.,
   1. a North American river species (Lutra canadensis)
   2. sea otter
2. the short, thick, lustrous fur of this animal

Origin: ME oter < OE, akin to ON otr < IE *udros, a water animal (> Sans udrá-ḥ) < base *wed-, to make wet > water