/mak"euhr euhl, mak"reuhl/ , n. , pl. ( esp. collectively ) mackerel , ( esp. referring to two or more kinds or species ) mackerels .
1. a food fish, Scomber scombrus, of the North Atlantic, having wavy cross markings on the back.
2. See Spanish mackerel .
3. any of various similar fishes, as the Atka mackerel.
[ 1250-1300; ME maquerel pimp makelare broker (by metathesis), equiv. to makel ( en ) to bring together + -are -ER 1 ]