1. A large water rodent of South America having webbed hind feet, a rat-like tail, and has hair that resembles that of the beaver: "The coypu look like small beavers and they are bred in captivity."

"Most of the fur of the coypus in the farm was sold to companies for making fashionable wear for women."

2. A coat composed of this animal: "Susan thought her fur coat was made of beaver, but it turned out to be from coypu instead."
3. Etymology: American Spanish coipú and from Araucanian kóypu.