1. A cetacean (Grampus griseus) related to and resembling the dolphins but lacking a beaklike snout.
2. Any of various similar cetaceans, such as the killer whale.

[Alteration (perhaps influenced by GRAND) of Middle English graspeis, from Old French craspois, graspeis, from Medieval Latin crassus piscis, craspiscis : Latin crassus, fat + Latin piscis, fish.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.