capybara

noun

Etymology: From Spanish capibara, from Portuguese capivara, from Old Tupi kapi'iûara (literally “grass eater”).

1. A large semi-aquatic South American rodent of the genus Hydrochoerus.
2. The greater capybara.

   ““Our fires burned well,” continued Tom, “and we roasted our young capybara to perfection; we only wanted salt and pepper, and an onion or two to make it delicious.[…]"”

   “It was tenanted by the small caymans and by capybaras—the largest known rodent, a huge aquatic guinea-pig, the size of a small sheep.”