\Ca`py*ba"ra\, n. [Sp. capibara, fr. the native name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large South American rodent ({Hydroch[ae]rus capybara})
Living on the margins of lakes and rivers. It is the largest
extant rodent, being about three feet long, and half that in
height. It somewhat resembles the Guinea pig, to which it is
related; -- called also {cabiai} and {water hog}.