skunk
n. countablen. a small animal with black and white fur that sprays a very smelly liquid when it is scared. In casual talk, it can also mean a person who is mean or dishonest.
n. a North American mammal of the family Mephitidae, noted for its ability to eject a foul-smelling secretion from anal glands as a defense mechanism. Figuratively applied to a contemptible or untrustworthy person.
A skunk sprayed our dog in the backyard last night.
The hikers kept their distance after spotting a skunk foraging near the edge of the campsite.
While the skunk is primarily known for its potent chemical defense, it plays a vital ecological role by controlling insect and rodent populations through its opportunistic diet.
From an unattested Southern New England Algonquian word, cognate with Abenaki segôgw, segonku (“he who squirts (musk) / urinates”), from Proto-Algonquian šeka·kwa, from šek- (“to urinate”). Doublet of Chicago.
Blend of skinhead + punk, influenced by the animal (Etymology 1).
From skunkweed (“certain highly aromatic marijuana”).
When used as a verb, it means to defeat an opponent overwhelmingly, especially by preventing them from scoring.