A large North American rodent that hibernates in winter and emerges in early spring, also known as a woodchuck. It's famous for the folkloric tradition of Groundhog Day on February 2nd.
From English 'ground' + 'hog', dating to the 1780s. The name reflects the animal's habit of living in ground burrows and its stocky, pig-like appearance. It's an Americanism that replaced the earlier 'woodchuck' in popular usage.
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