Also 8 kincajou. [a. F. quincajou (Denis 1672), from N. American Indian: cf. Algonquin Kwingwaage, Otchipwe gwingwaage, the wolverine. The same word orig. as CARCAJOU, which is still applied to the wolverine; but erroneously transferred by Buffon to the quadruped indicated below. (J. Platt, in N. & Q., 9th s. VII. 386, 18 May 1901.)]
A carnivorous quadruped (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus) of Central and South America, allied to the racoon; it is about the size of the common cat, has a prehensile tail, and is nocturnal in its habits. Also called potto or honey-bear.
[1672. N. Denis, Descr. des côtes de l’Amerique, 330. Le kinkajou ressemble à un chat.]
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 198. Kincajou … makes havoc among the deer.
1863. Bates, Nat. Amazons, xii. (1864), 400. A curious animal, known to naturalists as the kinkajou,… has been considered by some authors as an intermediate form between the lemur family of apes, and the plantigrade carnivora or bear family.
1900. Bartlett, Wild Beasts in the ‘Zoo,’ 41. The voice of the panda, kinkajou, otter and coati are wonderfully alike.
