BLACKFISH

blackfish

(noun) female salmon that has recently spawned

tautog, blackfish, Tautoga onitis

(noun) large dark-colored food fish of the Atlantic coast of North America

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

blackfish (plural blackfishes or blackfish)

(chiefly Scotland) The Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, especially a female after spawning. [from 16th c.]

Any of various dark-coloured fish of the Old World, especially the rudderfish (Centrolophus niger). [from 17th c.]

A pilot whale, genus Globicephalus (occasionally also used for various other whales). [from 17th c.]

(North America) Either of two dark-coloured fish of the west Atlantic, the tautog of New England (Tautoga onitis) and the black sea bass (Centropristis striata). [from 18th c.]

(AU, NZ) Any of various dark-coloured fishes of Australasia, especially the luderick, Girella tricuspidata, and a freshwater fish, Gadopsis marmoratus. [from 18th c.]

Verb

blackfish (third-person singular simple present blackfishes, present participle blackfishing, simple past and past participle blackfished)

(angling) To go fishing for blackfish.

Source: Wiktionary

Black"fish, n.

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A small kind of whale, of the genus Globicephalus, of several species. The most common is G. melas. Also sometimes applied to other whales of larger size.

2. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The tautog of New England (Tautoga).

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The black sea bass (Centropristis atrarius) of the Atlantic coast. It is excellent food fish; -- locally called also black Harry.

4. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A fish of southern Europe (Centrolophus pompilus) of the Mackerel family.

5. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The female salmon in the spawning season.

Note: The name is locally applied to other fishes.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition