| Porpoise | n. [ OE. porpeys, OF. porpeis, literally, hog fish, from L. porcus swine + piscis fish. See Pork, and Fish. ] 1. (Zool.) Any small cetacean of the genus Phocæna, especially Phocæna communis, or Phocæna phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (Phocæna Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) A true dolphin (Delphinus); -- often so called by sailors. [ 1913 Webster ]
Skunk porpoise, or
Bay porpoise (Zool.), a North American porpoise (Lagenorhynchus acutus), larger than the common species, and with broad stripes of white and yellow on the sides. See Illustration in Appendix. [ 1913 Webster ]
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