Ferret

n. [Fr. furet, It. furetto, L. Lat. furetum, furectus, from furo, ferret, from Lat. fur, thief; N. H. Ger. frett, frette, dim. frettchen, O. Ger. frette, furette, D. fret, foret, furet.]

1Sense 1. (Zoöl.) An animal of the weasel kind (Mustela or Putorius furo), about 14 inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used in catching rabbits, to drive them out of their holes.

2Sense 2. A kind of narrow tape, made of woolen, sometimes of cotton or silk.

3Sense 3. (Glass Manuf.) The iron used to try the melted matter, to see if it is fit to work, and to make the rings at the mouths of bottles.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FERRETED; p. pr. & vb. n. FERRETING.] To drive or hunt out of a lurking-place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts;—often used with out.

Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, And ferret him. Shak.