n. One of the pouched rats or pocket-gophers, sundry species of the rodent family Geomyidœ and genera Geomys and Thomomys. See these words, and cut under Geomyidæ.n. One of the spermophiles, burrowing squirrels, or ground-squirrels of the family Sciuridœ, subfamily Spermophilinœ, and genera Cynomys, Spermophilus, and Tamias.n. The Testudo (or Xerobates) carolina, a tortoise from 12 to 15 inches long, of gregarious nocturnal and fossorial habits, abundant in the southern Atlantic States.n. A snake, Spilote scouperi. Also called gopher snake.n. In some parts of the southern United States, a plow.n. A kind of waffle. See gofer.In mining, to begin or carry on mining operations at haphazard, or on a small scale; mine without any reference to the possibility of future permanent development. Such mine-openings are frequently called gopher-holes and coyote-holes.