groper

¹ American  

[groh-per] / ˈgroʊ pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that gropes.

2. Slang. a person who touches or fondles someone for sexual pleasure, especially without the person’s consent.

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groper ² American  

[groh-per] / ˈgroʊ pər /

noun

1. a large, purplish food fish, Achoerodus gouldii, inhabiting waters off Australia and New Zealand, characterized by an enormous gape.

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groper British  

/ ˈɡrəʊpə /

noun

1. Also called: garoupa.  any large marine serranid fish of the genus Epinephelus and related genera, of warm and tropical seas

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Etymology

Origin of groper¹

First recorded in 1560–70; grope + -er ¹

Origin of groper²

Apparently alteration of grouper ¹, perhaps by association with grope

Example Sentences

Blueback is the name of the groper that is a symbol of the bay's wildlife that is endangered by predatory developers.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2023

Abby also befriends Blueback – a big-mouthed Australian fish known as a groper that lives in the water – and tries to protect him from danger.

From Salon • Mar. 2, 2023

Consider the western blue groper the St. Bernard of Australia’s southern coast, a heavy, friendly fish game to frolic with swimmers if fed the right treats.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2023

I have a beautiful young son now, and I wonder: How can I instill in him a code that prevents him from becoming a groper or harasser?

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2018

A groper, more voracious and bolder than usual, followed a safely-hooked perch from the dim coral garden, worrying it like a bull-dog.

From Confessions of a Beachcomber by Banfield, E. J. (Edmund James)