*ferret*

n. [ F. furet, cf. LL. furo; prob. fr. L. fur thief (cf. Furtive); cf. Arm. fur wise, sly. ] (Zool.) An animal of the Weasel family (Mustela furo syn. Putorius furo), about fourteen inches in length, of a pale yellow or white color, with red eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets are used to drive rabbits and rats out of their holes. They are sometimes kept as pets. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ferreted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ferreting. ] [ Cf. F. fureter. See Ferret, n. ] To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; -- often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret. [ 1913 Webster ]

Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F. fleuret. Cf. Floret. ] A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of cotton or silk; -- called also ferreting. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. feret, dim. or fer iron, L. ferrum. ] (Glass Making) The iron used for trying the melted glass to see if is fit to work, and for shaping the rings at the mouths of bottles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who ferrets. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The spur-winged goose; -- so called from the red circle around the eyes. [ 1913 Webster ]