nutria
UK[ˈnjuːtriə]US[ˈnuːtriə]
n
A large semiaquatic rodent native to South America, with webbed hind feet, a blunt muzzle, and coarse brown fur, farmed for its fur.
Etymology
The word 'nutria' entered English in the early 19th century as a borrowing from American Spanish, where it referred to the coypu, a large rodent whose fur resembles that of an otter. This Spanish term itself evolved from the Vulgar Latin 'nutria', a phonetic alteration of the Classical Latin 'lutra' (otter), likely influenced by other words. The semantic journey, therefore, connects the animal's prized fur to the otter, a creature long associated with valuable pelts. The modern English usage specifically denotes the coypu, especially in the context of the fur trade and its status as an invasive species in many regions outside its native South America.
Analysis
The word 'nutria' is a direct loanword from Spanish, where it originally meant "otter." Its ultimate origin is the Latin word 'lutra,' meaning "otter," which underwent a phonetic shift in the Spanish language.
Examples
The wetlands were overrun with nutria, an invasive species that damages the ecosystem.
Her coat was made from the soft, dense fur of the nutria.
Wildlife managers implemented a program to control the growing nutria population.