E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Er’mine or Hermine.
Littré derives the word from Armenia, and says it is the “Pontic rat” mentioned by Pliny; if so, the better spelling would be “Armine.” Prof. Skeat derives the word from the French hermine, through harmo, the ermine, stoat, or weazel. The ermine is technically called the Mustela erminea.
