punger Now dial.
(ˈpʌŋgə(r))
Also 7 pungar.
[Of uncertain origin: has been conjectured to represent, in some way, Gr. πάγουρ-ος, L. pagūrus, Fr. pagure (1552 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
The large edible crab, Cancer pagurus.
| 1586 Bright Melanch. vi. 28 The softer shel, or crustie are cray fish, the crab, the lobster, the punger. 1611 Cotgr., Carbasse, the Crab-fish tearmed a Pungar. 1681 Grew Musæum i. v. iv. 120 The Claw of the Punger, or the Velvet-Crab, called Pagurus. 1820 T. Mitchell Aristoph., Com. I. 215 Their food was young pungers. 1830 tr. Aristoph., Knights 76 They ate pungers instead of medic grass. |