Croak″er (–?r), n. 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.