catfish

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

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any of a number of North American fish, family letaluridae, having barbels suggesting a cat's whiskers.

See: barbue

Quotations

1620

What should I spake of . . . Catfish, Millers, thunnes, &c.

1791

There are few fish except eels, cat fish, and pike. . . .

1852

At the next stake he found upon the hooks a large eel and a catfish.

1965

Most Canadians dismiss . . . catfish, alewife and others as impossible to eat. . . .