Frostfish

Frost`fish" (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) The tomcod; -- so called because it is abundant on the New England coast in autumn at about the commencement of frost. See Tomcod. (b) The smelt. [Local, U. S.] (c) A name applied in New Zealand to the scabbard fish (Lepidotus) valued as a food fish.