\Mack"er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau, fr. D.
makelaar mediator, agent, fr. makelen to act as agent.]
A pimp; also, a bawd. [Obs.] --Halliwell.

\Mack`er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL.
macarellus), prob. for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in
allusion to the markings on the fish. See {Mail} armor.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of the genus {Scomber}, and of several related
genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic
fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food.
Note: The common mackerel ({Scomber scombrus}), which
      inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of
      the most important food fishes. It is mottled with
      green and blue. The Spanish mackerel ({Scomberomorus
      maculatus}), of the American coast, is covered with
      bright yellow circular spots.
{Bull mackerel}, {Chub mackerel}. (Zo["o]l.) See under
   {Chub}.
{Frigate mackerel}. See under {Frigate}.
{Horse mackerel} . See under {Horse}.
{Mackerel bird} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- so called because
   it arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in
   season.
{Mackerel cock} (Zo["o]l.), the Manx shearwater; -- so called
   because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the
   east coast of Ireland.
{Mackerel guide}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Garfish}
(a) .
{Mackerel gull} (Zo["o]l.) any one of several species of gull
   which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.
{Mackerel midge} (Zo["o]l.), a very small oceanic gadoid fish
   of the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long
   and has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now
   considered the young of the genus {Onos}, or {Motella}.
{Mackerel plow}, an instrument for creasing the sides of lean
   mackerel to improve their appearance. --Knight.
{Mackerel shark} (Zo["o]l.), the porbeagle.
{Mackerel sky}, or {Mackerel-back sky}, a sky flecked with
   small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See {Cloud}.
         Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry
         low sails.                            --Old Rhyme.