bobcat

noun, plural bob·cats, (especially collectively) bob·cat.

a North American wildcat, Lynx rufus, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, having a brownish coat with black spots.

noun

a North American feline mammal, Lynx rufus, closely related to but smaller than the lynx, having reddish-brown fur with dark spots or stripes, tufted ears, and a short tailAlso called: bay lynx

North American lynx, 1873, in a Maine context; so called for its short tail; see bob (n.2) + cat (n.).