It sounds rude, but this 5-letter word is the correct term for a ventriloquist's puppet
[DOC] [TLE] The 10 Creepiest Ventriloquist Dummies of All Time - io9 [PAR] Mar 25, 2013 ... Ventriloquist dummies, along with sideshows and clowns, top the list of "Things 
People Used to Think Were Fun But Are Actually Terrifying.