HAM'STER, noun A species of rat, the Mus cricetus, or German marmot. This rat is of the size of the water rat, but is of a browner color, and its belly and legs of a dirty yellow. It is remarkable for two bags, like those of a baboon, on each side of the jaw, under the skin, in which it conveys grain, peas and acorns to its winter residence.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI