Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MOUSE, n. [plur. Mice; Sax. mus; Sw. mus; D. muis; G. maus; Dan. mus, muus; L. mus; Gr. μυς; Russ. mishe. The L. mus forms muris in the genitive, and the root is not obvious.]

1. A small animal of the genus Mus, inhabiting houses. The name is also applied to many other species of the genus, as the field mouse, meadow mouse, rock mouse, &c.
2. Among seamen, a knob formed on a rope by spun yarn or parceling. Mar. Dict.