teju

noun

te·​ju

təˈzhü

variants or less commonly tegu

-ˈgü

plural -s

: any of several large blackish South American lizards of the genus Tupinambis (family Teiidae) that have yellow or white bands across the back, grow to a length of about three feet, often raid hen roosts, and are hunted as pests and for their flesh which is regarded as a delicacy

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese tejú, teiú, from Tupi & Guarani tejú, teyú

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