Don″key (dŏṉ″ky̆), n.; pl.Donkeys (–kĭz). [Prob. dun, in allusion to the color of the animal + a dim. termination.] 1. An ass; or (less frequently) a mule.
2. A stupid or obstinate fellow; an ass.
Donkey engine, a small auxiliary engine not used for propelling, but for pumping water into the boilers, raising heavy weights, and like purposes. — Donkey pump, a steam pump for feeding boilers, extinguishing fire, etc.; — usually an auxiliary. — Donkey's eye(Bot.), the large round seed of the Mucuna pruriens, a tropical leguminous plant.