any of several edible North American turtles of the family Emydidae, inhabiting fresh or brackish waters, especially the diamondback terrapin: some are threatened or endangered.
2.
any of various similar turtles.
Origin
1605-15; earlier torope (< Virginia Algonquian < Eastern Algonquian*to·rəpe·w variety of turtle > Munsee Delawaretó·lpe·w) + -in, of uncertain origin
Examples from the web for terrapin
Frogs and terrapin belong to a lower order of animals than fish,-reptiles.
Its newly protected beaches-habitats for both surfers and terrapin turtles-have some of the last high dunes in the area.
The area is a native nursery for nesting shore birds and diamondback terrapin.
The southern diamond-back terrapin has five toes, not six as shown here.
Newly hatched diamondback terrapin with egg sac and egg tooth.
British Dictionary definitions for terrapin
terrapin
/ˈtɛrəpɪn/
noun
1.
any of various web-footed chelonian reptiles that live on land and in fresh water and feed on small aquatic animals: family EmydidaeAlso called water tortoise
Word Origin
C17: of Algonquian origin; compare Delaware torope turtle
Word Origin and History for terrapin
n.
North American turtle, 1670s, earlier torope (1610s), from an Algonquian source (e.g. Abenaki turepe, Delaware tulpe "turtle"). Subsequently extended to allied species in South America, East Indies, China, North Africa.