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proboscis

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(prō bäs′is)

noun pl. proboscises or proboscides

an elephant's trunk, or a long, flexible snout, as of a tapir
any tubular organ for sucking, food-gathering, sensing, etc., as of some insects, worms, and mollusks
a person's nose, esp. if large: a jocular usage

Origin: L < Gr proboskis < pro-, before + boskein, to feed, graze, prob. akin to bous, cow

See proboscis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pro·bos·cis·es or pro·bos·ci·des (-bŏsˈĭ-dēzˌ)

A long flexible snout or trunk, as of an elephant.
The slender, tubular feeding and sucking organ of certain invertebrates, such as insects, worms, and mollusks.
A human nose, especially a prominent one.

Origin:

Origin: Latin

Origin: , from Greek proboskis

Origin: : pro-, in front; see pro-²

Origin: + boskein, to feed

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