\Bar`ra*cu"da\, Barracouata \Bar`ra*cou"ata\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A voracious pikelike, marine fish, of the genus
   {Sphyr[ae]na}, sometimes used as food.
Note: That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is {Sphyr[ae]na
      spet} (or {S. vulgaris}); a southern species is {S.
      picuda}; the Californian is {S. argentea}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia
   and New Zealand ({Thyrsites atun}).

\Bar`ra*cu"da\, n. [Native name.]
Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the
gray mullets, constituting the genus {Sphyr[ae]na} and family
{Sphyr[ae]nid[ae]}. The great barracuda ({S. barracuda}) of
the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more
long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is
reputed to be poisonous. {S. Argentea} of the Pacific coast
and {S. sphyr[ae]na} of Europe are smaller species, and are
used as food.