cowfish

American  

[kou-fish] / ˈkaʊˌfɪʃ /

noun

plural

cowfish,

plural

cowfishes

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.

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cowfish British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of cowfish

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 • Nov. 10, 2021

A few steps away are the first of 70 small tanks containing such varied and intriguing species as the colorful little clownfish, the horned cowfish and the ferocious piranha.

From Time Magazine Archive

On the galatea putting into the port of Coary, it was found that nearly every man in the place was off upon a hunting excursion,—turtle and cowfish being the game that had called them out.

From Our Young Folks, Vol 1, No. 1 An Illustrated Magazine by Hamilton, Gail