Etymology: Middle English, from Old French mahommet, from Mahommet Muhammad died A.D. 632 Arabian prophet and founder of Islam; from a medieval belief that Muslims worshiped images of Muhammad
2. now dialect Britain
a. : an odd figure : puppet, effigy, image, doll — used also as a generalized term of abuse or contempt
b. : scarecrow
Useful english dictionary. 2012.