porpoise Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of several small gregarious cetacean mammals having a blunt snout and many teeth

WordNet

Por"poise noun
Etymology
OE. porpeys, OF. porpeis, literally, hog fish, from L. porcus swine + piscis fish. See Pork, and Fish.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any small cetacean of the genus Phocæna, especially P. communis, or P. phocæna, of Europe, and the closely allied American species (P. Americana). The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter snout. Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer.
  2. (Zoöl.) A true dolphin (Delphinus); -- often so called by sailors.

Webster 1913