chevrotain
Syllabification: (chev·ro·tain)
Pronunciation: /ˈSHevrəˌtān/
Definition of chevrotain
noun
- a small deerlike mammal with short tusks, typically nocturnal and found in the tropical rain forests of Africa and southern Asia. Also called mouse deer.
- Family Tragulidae: genera Moschiola (one Asian species), Tragulus (two Asian species), and Hyemoschus (one African species)
Origin:
late 18th century: from French, diminutive of Old French chevrot, diminutive of chèvre 'goat'