Proto-Eskimo: *ǝpjuɣ-
Meaning: animal with fur like dog or fox
Russian meaning: пушной зверь типа собаки, песца
Comments: The root is similar to *ǝpRuɣ-(a-) 'to walk' but no valid explanations for the semantic shift to "dog-like/fox-like animal" can be offered. Moreover, while no root like "piuɣ- 'to walk' is ever found, the word piuxta with the meaning 'dog' is actually attested.
Comparative Eskimo Dictionary: 265
