Binturong

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɪn.t(j)ʊəˌɹɒŋ/

Definitions

1. A distinctive, tree-dwelling mammal from Southeast Asia, it possesses a coarse black fur coat and a long, flexible tail, and is recognized for its peculiar scent akin to popcorn while primarily feeding on fruits and small critters
2. This nocturnal creature, referred to as a bearcat, showcases a shaggy black pelage and prehensile tail, and is notable for its unique popcorn-like aroma as it typically consumes fruits and small vertebrates in forest habitats
3. A large, arboreal mammal native to Southeast Asia, it features long, coarse fur, a prehensile tail, and is known for producing a distinct popcorn-like smell while its diet includes fruits and small animals

Etymology: The binturong is a forest-dwelling animal of Southeast Asia, and its English name was borrowed from Malay, where "binturung" names the same creature. The animal is a relative of the civets rather than a bear or a cat, which is why the "bearcat" nickname has stuck, though the name itself carries no such ancestry. The most striking detail is the smell. Binturongs give off a sweet, popcorn-like odour, a trait that has nothing to do with the name's origin but has become the animal's most memorable feature in English-speaking writing. The word arrived with the creature, and the aroma was a notable part of how people came to describe it.