mustang (mustang)

[Origin obscure.] 1. The wild horse of the pampas and prairies of America. It is descended from stock of Spanish importation, and has reverted to the feral state. The mustangs live in troops, are very hardy, and are often caught and broken for use. Indian ponies and the various kinds of small horses used in the western United States and Territories are mustangs or their descendants. See bronco and cayuse. 2. An officer of the United States navy who entered the regular service from the merchant service after serving through the civil war, instead of graduating from the Naval Academy. [Slang.] - Mustang grape. See cutthroat, 2. [lang]-Musta