Also 9 -icoote, -ycoot. [corruption of Telugu pandi-kokku, lit. ‘pig-rat’ (Col. Yule).]
1. A large Indian rat (Mus malabaricus or giganteus), as big as a cat, and very destructive. (Wrongly used in quot. 1789 for the Musk-rat.)
1789. Munro, Narrat., 32. The Bandicoot, or musk rat, is another troublesome animal … from its offensive smell.
1813. J. Forbes, Orient. Mem., III. 41. Bandicoote rat[s] frequently undermine ware houses and destroy every kind of merchandise.
1860. Tennent, Ceylon, I. 150. Another favourite article of food with the coolies is the pig-rat or Bandicoot.
2. A genus of insectivorous Australian marsupials (Parameles), somewhat resembling the above.
1831. Tyerman & Bennet, Voy. & Trav., II. xxxvi. 149. The dogs also worried a bandy-coot … an animal … with a head and tail resembling those of a rat, and a pouch under the belly for the reception of its young.
1839. Todd, Cycl. Anat. & Phys., III. 260/2. Marsupials commonly known in Australia by the name of Bandicoots.
