from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Zibet \Zib"et\, Zibeth \Zib"eth\, n. [Cf. It. zibetto. See
{Civet}.] (Zool.)
A carnivorous mammal ({Viverra zibetha}) closely allied to
the civet, from which it differs in having the spots on the
body less distinct, the throat whiter, and the black rings on
the tail more numerous.
[1913 Webster]
Note: It inhabits India, Southern China, and the East Indies.
It yields a perfume similar to that of the civet. It is
often domesticated by the natives, and then serves the
same purposes as the domestic cat. Called also {Asiatic
civet} or {Indian civet}.
[1913 Webster]