VIBRISSA

whisker, vibrissa, sensory hair

(noun) a long stiff hair growing from the snout or brow of most mammals as e.g. a cat

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Noun

vibrissa (plural vibrissae)

Any of the tactile whiskers on the nose of an animal such as a cat

Any similar feather near the mouth of some birds

Source: Wiktionary

Vi*bris"sa, n.; pl. Vibrissæ. Etym: [L. vibrissae, pl., the hairs in the nostrils of man, fr. vibrare to vibrate; -- so called because touching them tickles a person, and causes him to shake his head.]

1. (Anat.)

Definition: One of the specialized or tactile hairs which grow about the nostrils, or on other parts of the face, in many animals, as the so- called whiskers of the cat, and the hairs of the nostrils of man.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The bristlelike feathers near the mouth of many birds.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition