GOPHER

gopher, pocket gopher, pouched rat

(noun) burrowing rodent of the family Geomyidae having large external cheek pouches; of Central America and southwestern North America

Minnesotan, Gopher

(noun) a native or resident of Minnesota

goffer, gopher

(noun) a zealously energetic person (especially a salesman)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

From the gopher, mascot of the University of Minnesota, where the Gopher protocol was developed.

Proper noun

Gopher

(Internet) an Internet protocol for document search and retrieval.

Etymology 1

Noun

gopher (plural gophers)

A small burrowing rodent, especially in the family Geomyidae.

The gopher tortoise.

The gopher rockfish.

Etymology 2

Noun

gopher (plural gophers)

Alternative spelling of gofer

Source: Wiktionary

Go"pher, n. Etym: [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See Gauffer.] (Zoöl.)

1. One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the family Geomyidæ; -- called also pocket gopher and pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan.

Note: The name was originally given by French settlers to many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the earth.

2. One of several western American species of the genus Spermophilus, of the family Sciuridæ; as, the gray gopher (Spermophilus Franklini) and the striped gopher (S. tridecemlineatus); -- called also striped prairie squirrel, leopard marmot, and leopard spermophile. See Spermophile.

3. A large land tortoise (Testudo Carilina) of the Southern United States, which makes extensive burrows.

4. A large burrowing snake (Spilotes Couperi) of the Southern United States. Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift, following or seeking the ore without regard to regular grade or section. Raymond.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition