 3 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Puffer \Puff"er\, noun
1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
commendation.
2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
species of {Tetrodon} and {Diodon} of the family
{Tetraodontidae}; -- called also {blower},
{puff-fish}, {swellfish}, and {globefish}. They are
highly poisonous due to the presence of glands
containing a potent toxin, {tetrodotoxin}.
Nevertheless they are eaten as a delicacy in Japan,
being prepared by specially licensed chefs who remove
the poison glands.
(b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
4. (Dyeing) A kier.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Swellfish \Swell"fish'\, noun (Zo["o]l.)
Any plectognath fish that dilates itself, as the bur fish,
puffer, or diodon.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Bur fish \Bur" fish'\ (Zo["o]l.)
A spinose, plectognath fish of the Allantic coast of the
United States (esp. {Chilo mycterus geometricus}) having the
power of distending its body with water or air, so as to
resemble a chestnut bur; -- called also {ball fish}, {balloon
fish}, and {swellfish}.
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