from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
marten \mar"ten\, n. [From older martern, marter, martre, F.
martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS.
mear[eth], meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. m["o]r[eth]r.
Cf. {Foumart}.]
1. (Zool.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of the
genus {Martes} (formerly {Mustela}), closely allied to the
sable. Among the more important species are the European
{beech marten} or {stone marten} ({Martes foina}); the
{pine marten} ({Martes martes}); and the {American
marten}, or {sable} ({Martes Americana}), which some
Zoologists consider only a variety of the Russian sable.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.
[1913 Webster]