sheatfish

[ sheet-fish ]

noun

, plural sheat·fish·es, (especially collectively) sheat·fish.

1. a large, freshwater catfish, Silurus glanis, inhabiting rivers in central and eastern Europe, sometimes reaching a weight of 400 pounds (181.4 kilograms).

sheatfish

/ ˈʃiːtˌfɪʃ /

noun

1. See silurid
   the European catfish See silurid

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheatfish¹

First recorded in 1580–90; earlier sheath-fish; sheath is erroneous translation of German Scheide “sheatfish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheatfish¹

C16: variant of sheathfish; perhaps influenced by German Schaid sheatfish; see sheath , fish