noun

varmint

VAR-mint/ˈvɑːrmɪnt/

An animal regarded as a troublesome pest.

The raccoon proves a troublesome varmint by scattering trash from the tipped can.

A raccoon has tipped a household trash can and scattered a few scraps while a rural adult looks exasperated; troublesome wild animal sense, no traps, weapons, injury or cruelty.

Etymology

varmintOld Frenchmoth, worm, mite; troublesome creatures

Old French vermin named small creatures such as worms and mites, and collectively troublesome creatures. Varmint extends the pest label to troublesome animals and, as an insult, objectionable people.

In context

Old Time Radio Researchers20:33

and bounce it off on the varmint skull but we gotta find out who it is first say hey wait a minute let me see that piece of rock huh

Hopalong Cassidy - The Secret in the Hill

More examples

We built a fence to keep varmints out of the vegetable patch.
Some varmint chewed a hole in the chicken coop.
That little varmint raids the bird feeder every morning.

Forms

varmint · varmints

Similar words

pest: More neutral term, commonly used for insects as well.
vermin: Usually refers collectively to animals considered destructive or disease-carrying.