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