Word Study
tautog
CIDE DICTIONARY
tautog, n. [The pl. of taut, the American Indian name, translated by Roger Williams sheep's heads, and written by him tautaúog.].
An edible labroid fish (Haitula onitis , or Tautoga onitis ) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. When adult it is nearly black, more or less irregularly barred, with greenish gray. Called also blackfish , oyster fish , salt-water chub , and moll . [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
tautog, n. a fish, Tautoga onitis, found off the Atlantic coast of N. America, used as food.
Etymology
Narraganset tautauog (pl.)
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