Pronunciation : Bo"a
Part of Speech : n.;
Etymology : [L. boa a kind of water serpent. Perh. fr. bos an ox.]
Definition : 1. (Zo?l.)
Defn: A genus of large American serpents, including the boa constrictor, the emperor boa of Mexico (B. imperator), and the chevalier boa of Peru (B. eques).
Note: The name is also applied to related genera; as, the dog-headed boa (Xiphosoma caninum).
2. A long, round fur tippet; -- so called from its resemblance in shape to the boa constrictor.
pl. Boas .
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913