a type of fur once commonly used for lining and trimming in garments, mid-13c., from Old French menu vair "minor fur;" see menu + vair. The exact description of the thing and meaning of the term is now unclear; according to older French sources, it came from some kind of squirrel.
minister
ministerial
ministerium
ministration
ministry
miniver
mink
minke
minnesinger
Minnesota
minnow