bullhead

[ bool-hed ]

noun

1. any of several North American, freshwater catfishes of the genus Ictalurus, having a rounded or truncate caudal fin.
2. any of several other fishes, as the freshwater sculpins of the genus Cottus, especially those species having a hornlike spine on each side of the head. heads.
3. an obstinate or stupid person.

bullhead

/ ˈbʊlˌhɛd /

noun

1. any of various small northern mainly marine scorpaenoid fishes of the family Cottidae that have a large head covered with bony plates and spines
2. any freshwater North American catfish of the genus Ameiurus (or Ictalurus ), having a large head bearing several long barbels
3. a scorpion fish, Scorpaena guttata , of North American Pacific coastal waters
4. informal.
   a stupidly stubborn or unintelligent person

Word History and Origins

Origin of bullhead¹

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75; bull ¹ + head

Example Sentences

McNeish, who has examined the fish carcasses since late August, has identified non-native species including bass, sunfish, bullhead catfish and mosquitofish.

From Los Angeles Times

The river is used for breeding Atlantic salmon and is home to native wild brown trout and smaller species like bullheads and loaches.

From BBC

As a result, June suckers face an array of predator species, including white bass, walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, black bullhead, northern pike and channel catfish.

From Washington Times

In reality, the river flows from west central Georgia into the Gulf of Mexico, and its waters are clean enough to harbor bass, bluegill and bullheads.

From Salon

Catch-and-release fishing for bass is already in full swing, and bullhead, crappie, perch, and other panfish are moving into warming shallow bays and are willing to bite.

From Washington Times