nounWord forms: plural -fish or -fishes1. any of several small spotted European sharks, esp Scyliorhinus canicula (lesser spotted dogfish): family Scyliorhinidae
2. any small shark of the family Squalidae, esp Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish), typically having a spine on each dorsal fin
3. any small smooth-skinned shark of the family Triakidae, esp Mustelus canis (smooth dogfish or smooth hound)
4. a less common name for the bowfin