/lob"steuhr/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) lobster , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) lobsters .
1. any of various large, edible, marine, usually dull-green, stalk-eyed decapod crustaceans of the family Homaridae, esp. of the genus Homarus, having large, asymmetrical pincers on the first pair of legs, one used for crushing and the other for cutting and tearing: the shell turns bright red when cooked.
2. See spiny lobster .
3. any of various similar crustaceans, as certain crayfishes.
4. the edible meat of these animals.
[ bef. 1000; ME lopster, OE loppestre lit., spidery creature ( loppe spider (see LOB 1 ) + -stre -STER); cf. LOP 1 ]