Croak"er (-?r), n.
1.
One who croaks, murmurs, grumbles, or complains unreasonably; one who habitually forebodes evil.
2. Zool. (a)
A small American fish (Micropogon undulatus), of the Atlantic coast.
(a)
An American fresh-water fish (Aplodinotus grunniens); -- called also drum.
(c)
The surf fish of California.
⇒ When caught these fishes make a croaking sound; whence the name, which is often corrupted into crocus.
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© Webster 1913.