tadpole Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a larval frog or toad
    polliwog; pollywog.

WordNet

Tad"pole` noun
Etymology
OE. tadde toad (AS. tadie, tadige) + poll; properly, a toad that is or seems all head. See Toad, and Poll.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.
  2. (Zoöl.) The hooded merganser. Local, U.S.

Webster 1913