%frostfish%

n. (Zool.) (a) The tomcod; -- so called because it is abundant on the New England coast in autumn at about the commencement of frost. See Tomcod. (b) The smelt. [ Local, U. S. ] (c) A name applied in New Zealand to the scabbard fish (Lepidotus) valued as a food fish. [ 1913 Webster ]