Obs. rare. [see quot. 1753; and cf. F. sarigue opossum, from Brazilian çarigueya (Littré). Florio has It. cerigone (explained as in Kersey), which in form looks like an augmentative of cerigo ‘clerk, shaveling.’] The opossum.
1708. Kersey, Cerigon, an American wild Beast having a Skin under the Belly like a Sack, which serves to carry its Young Ones.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The Americans in some places call this animal in their language carigueya; and it is probable that this name cerigo is only a corruption of that word, though it be received generally in the world as a proper name.
