\Kra"ken\, n. [Prob. from OSw. krake, or ODan. krage the
trunk of a tree, the branches of which are not entirely cut
off, to which it was likened by the Norwegian mariners.]
A fabulous Scandinavian sea monster, often represented as
resembling an island, but sometimes as resembling an immense
octopus.
      To believe all that has been said of the sea serpent or
      kraken, would be credulity; to reject the possibility
      of their existence, would be presumption. --Goldsmith.
      Like a kraken huge and black.            --Longfellow.