The short-spined sea scorpion, Myoxocephalus scorpius (family Cottidae), a sculpin of coastal waters in the north Atlantic.
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in John Ray (1627–1705), naturalist and theologian. From father + lasher; so called on account of the fact that the male of this fish defends the eggs by lashing out with its spiny tail.
Definition of father-lasher in US English:
father-lasher
nounˈfɑːðəˌlaʃə
The short-spined sea scorpion, Myoxocephalus scorpius (family Cottidae), a sculpin of coastal waters in the north Atlantic.
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in John Ray (1627–1705), naturalist and theologian. From father + lasher; so called on account of the fact that the male of this fish defends the eggs by lashing out with its spiny tail.