paca \pa"ca\ (Pg. p[aum]"k[.a]; E. p[=a]"k[.a]), n. [Pg., from
the native name.]
1. (Zool.) A large burrowing South American rodent ({Agouti
paca} syn. {Cuniculus paca}, formerly {C[oe]logenys
paca}), having blackish brown fur, with four parallel rows
of white spots along its sides; the spotted cavy. It is
closely allied to the agouti and the Guinea pig and is
highly esteemed as food.
[1913 Webster]