critter

noun

Etymology: First attested 1815, from a dialectal pronunciation of creature.

1. A creature, and specifically, an animal or something animal-like.

   “The San Juan market is Mexico City's most famous deli of exotic meats, where an adventurous shopper can hunt down hard-to-find critters such as ostrich, wild boar and crocodile.”

2. A small locomotive used in an industrial setting.

   “One of the biggest challenges facing a railfan photographer is the correct identification of one manufacturer's "critter" locomotive from that of another competing builder.”