Vole
Pronunciation: 'vOl
Function: noun
: any of various small rodents (family Cricetidae and especially genus Microtus) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears,
that inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and that are closely related to muskrats and lemmings but in general resemble stocky mice or rats.

Why do I find the thought of a stocky mouse rather amusing?