shotten

adjective

shot·ten ˈshä-tᵊn

: having ejected the spawn and so of inferior food value

shotten herring

Word History

Etymology

Middle English shotyn, from past participle of sheten to shoot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of shotten was in the 15th century

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Browse Nearby Words

shotted

shotten

shotting

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shotten. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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