1 U.S. [f. WASH v. In Ger. waschbār, a transl. of the zoological name Ursus lotor (Linn.); cf. WASHER 4 b, washing bear, WASHING ppl. a. 3.] The raccoon.
1891. Manhattan (KS) Daily Republic, 22 June, 2/3. A correspondent sends to the Youth’s Companion an account of a pet raccoon, of ‘the variety called the wash bear.’
1891. Century Dict.
