Main Entry: cray·fish

Pronunciation: \ˈkrā-ˌfish\

Function: noun

Etymology: by folk etymology from Middle English crevis, from Anglo-French creveis, escreveice, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krebiz crab — more at crab

Date: 14th century

1 : any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans (especially families Astacidea, Cambaridae, and Parastacidae) resembling the lobster but usually much smaller
2 : spiny lobster

[crayfish illustration]