cowfish

[ kou-fish ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) cow·fish, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) cow·fish·es.

1. any of several marine fishes having hornlike projections over the eyes, especially a trunkfish, Lactophrys guadricornus, found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
2. a sirenian, as the manatee.
3. any of various small cetaceans, as a porpoise or dolphin or the grampus, Grampus griseus.

cowfish

/ ˈkaʊˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. any trunkfish, such as Lactophrys quadricornis, having hornlike spines over the eyes
2. (loosely) any of various large aquatic animals, such as a sea cow

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowfish¹

First recorded in 1625–35; cow ¹ + fish

Example Sentences

The tank is filled with synthetic coral and a colorful mix of tropical fish such as queen angels, parrotfish and cowfish.

From Seattle Times

Taylor, who has a wide-ranging collection of pets, "from marine life like lionfish, seahorses, and cowfish to lizards, frogs, spiders, hedgehogs and more", shares stories on YouTube about their lengthy nightly feeding routines.

From BBC

Other Aquarium exhibits display sealife from local waters and exotic habitats around the world, including the Pacific Coral Reef and cowfish, sea horses and other exotic creatures in the Ocean Oddities exhibit.

From Seattle Times