Bo"a (?), n.; pl. Boas . [L. boa a kind of water serpent. Perh. fr. bos an ox.]
1. Zool.
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.