caiman

noun3

1. •
   Any of the relatively small crocodilians of the genus Caiman, within the family Alligatoridae.

   • Caimans are reptiles that are closely related to their Central and South American neighbors, the alligators. Adult caimans are usually four to six feet (1.8 m) in length. — 1995
2. •
   A crocodilian of the subfamily Caimaninae, which includes the very large black caiman.
3. •
   A semi-aquatic lizard, of the genus Dracaena, found in South America. To differentiate from crocodilian caimans, they are referred to as caiman lizards.