Definition of: ichneumon

(ik·n′mən, -ny′-) noun
1. An Old World civetlike carnivore of somewhat weasel–like aspect (genus Herpestes), as the mongoose, feeding on mice, eggs, snakes, etc.
2. An ichneumon fly. [<L <Gk. ichneumōn, lit., tracker <ichneuein track down <ichnos footstep, trace; because it was believed to track down and eat crocodiles' eggs]