Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-GOU'TY, n. [Qu. Sp. agudo, sharp; L. acutus.]

A quadruped of the order Rodentia; arranged by naturalists in the genus Cavia. It is of the size of a rabbit. The upper part of the body is brownish, with a mixture of red and black; the belly yellowish. Three varieties are mentioned, all peculiar to South America and the West Indies. It burrows in the ground, or in hollow trees; lives on vegetables; is voracious like a pig, and makes a similar grunting noise. It holds its food in its fore paws, like a squirrel. When scared or angry, its hair is erect, and it strikes the ground with its hind feet. Its flesh is white and well tasted. – Encyc.