barracouta

noun

bar·​ra·​cou·​ta ˌber-ə-ˈkü-tə How to pronounce barracouta (audio)
ˌba-rə-
: a large elongate marine bony fish (Thyrsites atun of the family Gempylidae) used for food and caught commercially in the waters off New Zealand and southern Australia

Word History

Etymology

modification of American Spanish barracuda

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barracouta was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near barracouta

barracoon

barracouta

barracuda

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Barracouta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barracouta. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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