Cryptid

Origin

From crypt + -id (English usage 1983; coined by John E. Wall in the ISC Newsletter).

Full definition of cryptid

Noun

1. (cryptozoology) Any creature that may or may not exist. Sightings of various cryptids have been reported, but their reality has not been proved.
• 1999, Steve Burgess, "Loren Coleman, Loch Ness snowman of cryptozoology," salon.com, 16 Aug,Now comes perhaps the cleverest tag of all: cryptozoology. It refers to the search for new animals, animals dwelling in unexpected places, and most importantly for "X-Files" scriptwriters, "cryptids"—legendary creatures such as the yeti.