hibernate (hi¦bernate) - Pronunciation: /ˈhʌɪbəneɪt/verb - [no object](of an animal or plant) spend the winter in a dormant state: some species hibernate in tree roosts of a person) remain inactive or indoors for an extended period. travel presenters who have been hibernating during the winter months get their passports out in spring and head for the sun.

hibernation

noun

hibernator

noun

Origin:

early 19th century (earlier (mid 17th century) as hibernation): from Latin hibernare, from hiberna 'winter quarters', from hibernus 'wintry'

Please do NOT disturb until February 2012 ... and even then, approach with extreme caution!