Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Taxidermy \Tax"i*der`my\, n. [Gr. ta`xis an arranging,
   arrangement (fr. ta`ssein to arrange) + ? a skin, from ? to
   skin: cf. F. taxidermie. See {Tactics}, {Tear}, v. t.]
   The art of preparing, preserving, and mounting the skins of
   animals so as to represent their natural appearance, as for
   cabinets.

Source : WordNet®

taxidermy
     n : the art of mounting the skins of animals so that they have
         lifelike appearance