beaver, n. [OE. bever, AS. beofer, befer; akin to D. bever, OHG. bibar, G. biber, Sw. bäfver, Dan. bæver, Lith. bebru, Russ. bobr', Gael. beabhar, Corn. befer, L. fiber, and Skr. babhrus large ichneumon; also as an adj., brown, the animal being probably named from its color. Brown.].

An amphibious rodent, of the genus Castor. [1913 Webster]
" It has palmated hind feet, and a broad, flat tail. It is remarkable for its ingenuity in constructing its lodges or “houses,” and dams across streams. It is valued for its fur, and for the material called castor, obtained from two small bags in the groin of the animal. The European species is Castor fiber, and the American is generally considered a variety of this, although sometimes called Castor Canadensis." [1913 Webster]
The fur of the beaver. [1913 Webster]
A hat, formerly made of the fur of the beaver, but now usually of silk. [1913 Webster]
"A brown beaver slouched over his eyes." [1913 Webster]
Beaver cloth, a heavy felted woolen cloth, used chiefly for making overcoats. [1913 Webster]
A man's beard. [PJC]
The hair on a woman's pubic area; -- vulgar. [PJC]
A woman; -- vulgar and offensive. [PJC]
A person who works enthusiastically and diligently; -- used especially in the phrase eager beaver. [PJC]

Beaver rat (Zoöl.), an aquatic ratlike quadruped of Tasmania (Hydromys chrysogaster). -- Beaver skin, the furry skin of the beaver. -- Bank beaver. See under 1st Bank.

beaver, n. [OE. baviere, bauier, beavoir, bever; fr. F. bavière, fr. bave slaver, drivel, foam, OF., prattle, drivel, perh. orig. an imitative word. Bavière, according to Cotgrave, is the bib put before a (slavering) child.].

That piece of armor which protected the lower part of the face, whether forming a part of the helmet or fixed to the breastplate. It was so constructed (with joints or otherwise) that the wearer could raise or lower it to eat and drink. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

beaver, n. & v.
--n. (pl. same or beavers)
1 a any large amphibious broad-tailed rodent of the genus Castor, native to N. America, Europe, and Asia, and able to cut down trees and build dams. b its soft light-brown fur. c a hat of this.
2 (in full beaver cloth) a heavy woollen cloth like beaver fur.
3 (Beaver) a boy aged six or seven who is an affiliate member of the Scout Association.
--v.intr. colloq. (usu. foll. by away) work hard.

Idiom

beaver lamb lamb's wool made to look like beaver fur. eager beaver colloq. an over-zealous person.

beaver, n. hist. the lower face-guard of a helmet.

beaver, n. sl. a bearded man.

Etymology

20th c.: orig. uncert.

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THESAURUS

beaver

Vandyke, activist, ball of fire, beard, big-time operator, bristles, bustler, busy bee, doer, down, eager beaver, enthusiast, go-getter, goatee, human dynamo, hustler, imperial, live wire, man of action, man of deeds, militant, new broom, operator, peach fuzz, political activist, powerhouse, side whiskers, stubble, take-charge guy, tuft, wheeler-dealer, whiskers, winner

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