'marmot' originates from French, specifically the word 'marmotte', where it referred to a burrowing rodent.

'marmot' changed from Provençal/Occitan 'marmota' and Old French 'marmote' and eventually became the modern English word 'marmot'.

Initially, it meant 'a burrowing rodent of the Marmota group', and this basic meaning has largely remained unchanged into modern usage.