wrasse

n. [ W. gwrachen. ] (Zool.) Any one of numerous edible, marine, spiny-finned fishes of the genus Labrus, of which several species are found in the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast of Europe. Many of the species are bright-colored. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Among the European species are the ballan wrasse (Labrus maculatus), the streaked wrasse (Labrus lineatus), the red wrasse (Labrus mixtus), the comber wrasse (Labrus comber), the blue-striped, or cook, wrasse (see Peacock fish, under Peacock), the rainbow wrasse (Labrus vulgaris), and the seawife. [ 1913 Webster ]