prawn Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of various edible decapod crustaceans
    shrimp.
  2. noun shrimp-like decapod crustacean having two pairs of pincers; most are edible
  3. verb fish for prawns

WordNet

Prawn noun
Etymology
OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a sea mussel.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn in Palæmon serratus. ✍ The name is often applied to any large shrimp.

Webster 1913