Boas

1 definition found

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

  Boa \Bo"a\ (b[=o]"[.a]), n.; pl. {Boas}. [L. boa a kind of water
     serpent. Perh. fr. bos an ox.]
     1. (Zool.) A genus of large American serpents, including the
        boa constrictor, the emperor boa of Mexico ({Boa
        imperator}), and the chevalier boa of Peru ({Boa eques}).
        [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: The name is also applied to related genera; as, the
           {dog-headed boa} ({Xiphosoma caninum}).
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A long, round fur tippet; -- so called from its
        resemblance in shape to the boa constrictor.
        [1913 Webster]