Gopher

n. [Fr. gaufre, waffle, honeycomb. Cf. GAUFFERING.] An animal of several different species. ☞ The name was originally given by French settlers to many burrowing animals, from their honeycombing the earth. In Canada and Illinois, the name was given to a gray burrowing squirrel (Spermophilus Franklinii); west of the Mississippi to S. Richardsonii; and in Wisconsin to a striped squirrel. In Missouri, a common species is a pouched rat of a reddish or chestnut-brown color, with broad, mole-like fore feet, the Geomys bursarius. In Georgia, a snake (Coluber couperi) is called by the same name; and in Florida, a turtle (the Testudo polyphemus).

n. [Heb. gōpher.] A species of wood used in the construction of Noah’s ark.