boa Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a long thin fluffy scarf of feathers or fur
    feather boa.
  2. noun any of several chiefly tropical constrictors with vestigial hind limbs

WordNet

Bo"a noun
Etymology
L. boa a kind of water serpent. Perh. fr. bos an ox.
Wordforms
plural Boas
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) 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). ✍ 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.

Webster 1913