skunk

noun, plural skunks, (especially collectively) skunk.

1. a small North American mammal, Mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, V-shaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked.
2. any of several related or similar animals.Compare hog-nosed skunk, spotted skunk.
3. Informal. a thoroughly contemptible person.
4. U.S. Navy Slang. an unidentified ship or target.