mossbunker

American

[maws-buhng-ker, mos-] / ˈmɔsˌbʌŋ kər, ˈmɒs- /

noun

the menhaden.

mossbunker British

/ ˈmɒsˌbʌŋkə /

noun

another name for menhaden

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mossbunker

1785–95, < Dutch marsbanker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Menhaden, also known as mossbunker, is an abundant fish species along the Atlantic coast that is caught primarily for use as bait, as well as to be processed for its high fish oil content for nutritional supplements.

From Seattle Times

There are vast schools of menhaden - a crucial bait fish also known as mossbunker - darkening spots in the water near Sandy Hook, and in northern Monmouth, and Friedman spots a school of dolphins, which has become commonplace lately.

From Washington Times

The menhaden had many other popular names, among them: porgie, bony-fish, poggie, mossbunker, greentail, bunker, yellowtail, white-fish, fat back, and another Indian name, chebog.

From Project Gutenberg

"Mossbunker" is a relic of the Dutch Colony at New Amsterdam.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023