croaker Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the lean flesh of a saltwater fish caught along Atlantic coast of southern U.S.
  2. noun any of several fishes that make a croaking noise

WordNet

Croak"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who croaks, murmurs, grumbles, or complains unreasonably; one who habitually forebodes evil.
  2. (Zoöl.) (a) A small American fish (Micropogon undulatus), of the Atlantic coast. (a) An American fresh-water fish (Aplodinotus grunniens); -- called also drum. (c) The surf fish of California. ✍ When caught these fishes make a croaking sound; whence the name, which is often corrupted into crocus. geography needs complete update!

Webster 1913