Go"pher (?), n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See Gauffer.] Zool.
1.
One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera Geomys and Thomomys, of the family Geomyidae; -- called also pocket gopher and pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan.
⇒ 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 Sciuridae; 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.
© Webster 1913.