pocket gopher

Gopher Go"pher, n. [F. gaufre waffle, honeycomb. See {Gauffer}.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. One of several North American burrowing rodents of the genera {Geomys} and {Thomomys}, of the family {Geomyid[ae]}; -- called also {pocket gopher} and {pouched rat}. See {Pocket gopher}, and {Tucan}. [1913 Webster]

Note: 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 {Sciurid[ae]}; 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]