Definition of "crawfish"

crawfish

/ˈkɹɒˌfɪʃ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural crawfishes or crawfish
1. (Southern US, Midwestern US and Western US) Various freshwater crustaceans, crayfish.
2. (South Africa) Various marine crustaceans, rock lobster; especially Jasus lalandii, the Cape crawfish.
3. (Quebec, Canada, slang, derogatory) A slur against Anglo-Canadians used in some corners of Quebec (including the Gaspé).
verb
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).
  Quotations
  I have never been one to flinch or crawfish when faced with an unpleasant task.
  1968, Charles Portis, True Grit