goanna

goanna [goh-an-uh] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. any of the several large monitor lizards of the family Varanidae, of Australia, especially Varanus varius and V. giganteus, both sometimes growing to 6 feet (1.8 meters).

Origin of goanna First recorded in 1795–1805; aphetic form of iguana Examples from the Web for goanna Historical Examples of goanna

The monitor is popularly known as the goanna, a name derived from the iguana, an entirely different animal.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 8

Various

British Dictionary definitions for goanna goanna noun

1. any of various Australian monitor lizards
2. Australian slang a piano

Word Origin for goanna C19: sense 1 changed from iguana; sense 2 from rhyming slang pianna