noun
scat
Feces left by an animal.
The ranger identifies the animal by its scat beside the trail.
Etymology
Scat is a specialized word for animal droppings. Its deeper derivation is uncertain, so no more specific historical connection is asserted here.
More examples
- Fresh bear scat lies near the berry bushes.
- Scientists examine wolf scat to learn what the animals eat.
- Seeds in the scat suggest that the animal ate fruit.
Forms
scat · scats
Similar words
- droppings
- Often suggests small, separate pieces of waste left by animals.
- dung
- Usually refers to waste from livestock or other large animals.
- feces
- Refers to bodily waste from humans as well as animals.