/kow"fish'/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) cowfish , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) cowfishes .
1. any of several marine fishes having hornlike projections over the eyes, esp. a trunkfish, Lactophrys guadricornus, found in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
2. a sirenian, as the manatee.
3. any of various small cetaceans, as a porpoise or dolphin or the grampus, Grampus griseus.
[ 1625-35; COW 1 + FISH ]