From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Terrapin \Ter"ra*pin\, noun [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [Written also {terapin}, {terrapen}, {terrapene}, {turpen}, and {turapen}.]
Note: The yellow-bellied terrapin ({Pseudemys scabra}) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin ({Pseudemys rugosa} or {Chrysemys rubriventris}), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also {potter}, {slider}, and {redfender}), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin ({Malaclemmys palustris}), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
{Alligator terrapin}, the snapping turtle.
{Mud terrapin}, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus {Cinosternon}.
{Painted terrapin}, the painted turtle. See under {Painted}.
{Speckled terrapin}, a small fresh-water American terrapin ({Chelopus guttatus}) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; -- called also {spotted turtle}.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: any of various edible North American web-footed turtles living in fresh or brackish water
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