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tautog

(Science: zoology) An edible labroid fish (Haitula onitis, or Tautoga onitis) of the atlantic coast of the united states. When adult it is nearly black, more or less irregularly barred, with greenish gray.

Synonym: blackfish, oyster fish, salt-water chub, and moll.

Alternative forms: tautaug.

Origin: The pl. Of taut, the American Indian name, translated by Roger Williams sheep's heads, and written by him tautaoog.