%gopher%

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 Geomyidæ; -- called also pocket gopher and pouched rat. See Pocket gopher, and Tucan. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name was originally given by French settlers to many burrowing rodents, from their honeycombing the earth. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A large land tortoise (Testudo Carilina) of the Southern United States, which makes extensive burrows. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A large burrowing snake (Spilotes Couperi) of the Southern United States. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gopher drift (Mining), an irregular prospecting drift, following or seeking the ore without regard to regular grade or section. Raymond. [ 1913 Webster ]