[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

porcupine \por"cupine\, n. oe. porkepyn, porpentine, of.
   porc-espi, f. porc-'epic cf. it. porco spino, porco
   spinoso, sp. puerco espino, puerco espin, fr. l. porcus swine
   + spina thorn, spine. the last part of the french word is
   perhaps a corruption from the it. or sp.; cf. f. 'epi ear,
   a spike of grain, l. spica. see pork, spike a large nail,
   spine.
   1. zool. any old word rodent of the genus hystrix, having
      the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines or
      quills, sometimes a foot long. the common species of
      europe and asia hystrix cristata is the best known.
      1913 webster

   2. zool. any species of erethizon and related genera,
      native of america. they are related to the true
      porcupines, but have shorter spines, and are arboreal in
      their habits. the canada porcupine erethizon dorsatus
      is a well known species.
      1913 webster

   porcupine ant-eater zool., the echidna.

   porcupine crab zool., a large spiny japanese crab
      acantholithodes hystrix.

   porcupine disease med.. see ichthyosis.

   porcupine fish zool., any plectognath fish having the
      body covered with spines which become erect when the body
      is inflated. see diodon, and globefish.

   porcupine grass bot., a grass stipa spartea with
      grains bearing a stout twisted awn, which, by coiling and
      uncoiling through changes in moisture, propels the
      sharp-pointed and barbellate grain into the wool and flesh
      of sheep. it is found from illinois westward. see
      illustration in appendix.

   porcupine wood bot., the hard outer wood of the cocoa
      palm; -- so called because, when cut horizontally, the
      markings of the wood resemble the quills of a porcupine.
      1913 webster
see also:
pork spike spine hystrix hystrix cristata erethizon 
erethizon dorsatus porcupine ant-eater porcupine crab acantholithodes hystrix porcupine disease 
ichthyosis porcupine fish diodon globefish porcupine grass 
stipa spartea porcupine wood 

Gopher Wood >> G Words
Gopher Wood, definition of term: Gopher Wood
gopher+wood_pag1.html

Cord Wood >> C Words
Cord Wood, definition of term: Cord Wood
cord+wood_pag1.html