walrus

 
Pronunciation: /ˈwɔːlrəs, ˈwɒl-/

noun

  • a large gregarious marine mammal related to the eared seals, having two large downward-pointing tusks and found in the Arctic Ocean.
    • Odobenus rosmarus, the only member of the family Odobenidae

Origin:

early 18th century: probably from Dutch walrus, perhaps by an inversion of elements (influenced by walvis 'whale fish') of Old Norse hrosshvalr 'horse whale'