Go"pher (?), n. [F. gaufre
waffle, honeycomb. See Gauffer.] (Zoöl.)
1. One of several North American burrowing
rodents of the genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the
family Geomyidæ; -- called also pocket gopher and
pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and
Tucan.
&fist; The name was originally given by French settlers to many
burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the earth.
2. One of several western American species of
the genus Spermophilus, of the family Sciuridæ;
as, the gray gopher (Spermophilus Franklini) and the striped
gopher (S. tridecemlineatus); -- called also striped
prairie squirrel, leopard marmot, and leopard
spermophile. See Spermophile.
3. A large land tortoise (Testudo
Carilina) of the Southern United States, which makes extensive
burrows.
4. A large burrowing snake (Spilotes
Couperi) of the Southern United States.
Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular
prospecting drift, following or seeking the ore without regard to
regular grade or section. Raymond.
