sprat Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small fatty European fish; usually smoked or canned like sardines
    brisling.
  2. noun small herring processed like a sardine
    brisling; Clupea sprattus.

WordNet

Sprat noun
Etymology
OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch.

Webster 1913