Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FERRET
I. noun see: furtive
Date: 14th century
1. a domesticated usually albino, brownish, or silver-gray animal ( Mustela putorius furo ) that is descended from the European polecat, black-footed ferret , an active and persistent searcher, ferrety adjective
II. verb
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb to hunt with ferrets, to search about, transitive verb
1. a. to hunt (as rabbits) with ferrets, to force out of hiding ; flush , to find and bring to light by searching, harry , worry , ferreter noun
III. noun see: blow
Date: 1649
a narrow cotton, silk, or wool tape