‖ystervark, noun

/ˈeɪstəfɑːk//ˈeɪstərfark/
Forms:
ijzer vark, yzer-varkShow more Also ijzer vark, yzer-vark, yzer-varke, yzer-varken, yzerwarké.
Origin:
Afrikaans, South African Dutch, DutchShow more Afrikaans, earlier South African Dutch ijzervarken, from Dutch ijzer iron + varken hog, pig.
The porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis of the Hystricidae, a large rodent with a protective covering of sharply pointed quills which are banded in black and white; iron hog.
Note:
Some early contexts may be referring to the southern African hedgehog Atelerix frontalis of the Erinaceidae.
1786 G. Forster tr. of A. Sparrman’s Voy. to Cape of G.H. I. 151The hystrix cristata of Linnaeus, called by the colonists here yzer-varken (or the iron-hog,) is the same animal as the Germans carry about for show in our country by the name of the porcupine.
1795 C.R. Hopson tr. of C.P. Thunberg’s Trav. I. 283The Porcupine, or Yzer-varken (Hystrix) whose usual food is the root of that beautiful plant, the Calla Aethiopica, will frequently deign to put up with cabbage and other vegetables.
1810 G. Barrington Acct of Voy. 282They have..an animal that burrows in the ground, called the yzer varke, or iron hog, the flesh of which, when salted and dried, is esteemed by the Dutch as a great delicacy. Several of the farmers breed them; but it is so vicious, that it is not safe for strangers to approach them.
[1835 A. Steedman Wanderings I. 81On returning we fell in with a porcupine, hystrix cristata, an animal which usually forages by night, and causes sad devastation among the crops of vegetables: the Dutch call it yzer varke, or the iron hog.]
1847 J. Barrow Autobiog. Memoir 146Here is also an animal that burrows in the ground, called the Yzerwarké, the iron-hog (hystrix cristata).
1950 H.C. Bosman in L. Abrahams Bekkersdal Marathon (1971) 43All he had was book-learning and didn’t know, for instance, a simple thing like that an ystervark won’t roll himself up when he’s tame.
1985 P. Slabolepszy Sat. Night at Palace 17An ystervark is a porcupine, I’m telling you.
The porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis of the Hystricidae, a large rodent with a protective covering of sharply pointed quills which are banded in black and white; iron hog.
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youth preparedness, noun phrasen. phr.ystervarkie, nounn.
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