/kraw"fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) crawfish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) crawfishes , v.
n.
1. crayfish.
v.i.
2. Informal. to back out or retreat from a position or undertaking.
[ 1615-25; earlier crafish, cravish, cravis, var. outcomes of MF crevice CRAYFISH ]