Garter snake Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of numerous nonvenomous longitudinally-striped viviparous North American and Central American snakes
    grass snake.

WordNet

Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.), one of several harmless American snakes of the genus Eutænia, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; so called from its conspicuous stripes of color.

Webster 1913