Desman \Des"man\ (d[e^]s"man), n. [Cf. Sw. desman musk.] (Zool.) An amphibious, insectivorous mammal found in Russia ({Myogale moschata}). It is allied to the moles, but is called {muskrat} by some English writers. [Written also {d[ae]sman}.] Desmid