skegger
(ˈskɛgə(r))
Also 7 skeggar, 8 scegger, 9 scagger.
[Of obscure origin.]
A young salmon, a samlet; salmon fry.
| 1653 Walton Angler vi. 141 There is more than one sort of them [salmon], as namely, a Tecon, and another called in some places a Samlet, or by some, a Skegger. 1658 Franck North. Mem. (1694) 255 In the South they call him Samlet; but if you step to the West he is better known there by the name of Skeggar. 1661 Walton Angler (ed. 3) vii. 135 Those little Salmons called Skeggers, which abound in many Rivers relating to the sea. 1740 R. Brookes Art of Angling i. iv. 19 The Salmon-Fry, or Scegger, call'd in some Countries a Salmon-Smelt. 1818 J. Hassell Rides & Walks round Metrop. II. 58 There is excellent fly-fishing for a small fish called a scagger. 1836 Yarrell Brit. Fishes II. 48 A Salmon or a Skegger in the Thames is now but rarely seen. 1882 Day Fishes Gt. Brit. II. 68 [Salmon] from one to two years old; before it has gone to the sea, it is known as a shed, skegger [etc.]. |
| attrib. 1653 Walton Angler iii. 85 A little Trout called a Samlet or Skegger Trout;..these [are] by some taken to be young Salmons. |