n. [ OE. tadde toad (AS. tādie, tādige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad, and Poll. ] 1. (Zool.) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Zool.) The hooded merganser. [ Local, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Tadpole fish. (Zool.) See Forkbeard (a). [ 1913 Webster ]