crawfish

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɹɒˌfɪʃ/ ^{[ext 1][ext 2][ext 3]}

Noun

crawfish (countable and uncountable, plural crawfishes or crawfish)

1. (Southern US, Midwestern US and Western US) Alternative form of crayfish
2. (Quebec, Canada, slang, derogatory) A slur against Anglo-Canadians used in some corners of Quebec (including the Gaspé).

Verb

crawfish (third-person singular simple present crawfishes, present participle crawfishing, simple past and past participle crawfished)

1. (colloquial, Southern US) To backpedal, desert or withdraw (also used with out).
   • 1968, Charles Portis, True Grit:

     I have never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.

Further reading