civet

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of various carnivorous catlike mammals of the family Viverridae of Africa and Asia, having anal scent glands that secrete a fluid with a musky odor. Also called civet cat.
2. n. The thick yellowish musky fluid secreted by one of these mammals, used in the manufacture of perfumes.
3. n. The fur of one of these mammals.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The secretion of the anal glands of the civet-cats, used in perfumery, etc. It is an unctuous resinous substance, of an aromatic odor like musk or ambergris, of the consistence of butter or honey, of a pale-yellowish color, and contains a volatile oil to which it owes its smell, together with resin, fat, mucus, and extractive matters.
2. n. The civet-cat.
3. n. plural The animals of the genus Viverra or family Viverridæ.
4. To scent with civet; perfume.
5. n. A stew, usually of rabbit or hare, flavored with onion, cives, garlic, or the like.

Wiktionary

1. n. A carnivorous catlike animal that produces a musky secretion. It is two to three feet long, with black bands and spots on the body and tail.
2. n. The musky perfume produced by the animal.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A substance, of the consistence of butter or honey, taken from glands in the anal pouch of the civet (Viverra civetta). It is of clear yellowish or brownish color, of a strong, musky odor, offensive when undiluted, but agreeable when a small portion is mixed with another substance. It is used as a perfume.
2. n. (Zoöl) The animal that produces civet (Viverra civetta); -- called also civet cat. It is carnivorous, from two to three feet long, and of a brownish gray color, with transverse black bands and spots on the body and tail. It is a native of northern Africa and of Asia. The name is also applied to other species.
3. v. To scent or perfume with civet.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. cat-like mammal typically secreting musk used in perfumes