I. grop·er -pə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: grope (I) + -er
: one that gropes
II. gro·per noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification of Portuguese garoupa — more at grouper
1. : one of several groupers: as
a. : a very large voracious and dangerous fish ( Promicrops lanceolatus ) of tropical Indo-Pacific waters
b. : a food fish ( Polyprion oxygeneios ) of southern seas
2. : a large Australian and Tasmanian labrid food fish ( Achoerodus gouldii ) having two well-marked color phases of purplish blue and red