fishtail v 1: slow down by moving the tail sideways; "The airplane fishtailed on the runway"
Fish-tail \Fish"-tail`\, a. Like the of a fish; acting, or producing something, like the tail of a fish. [1913 Webster]
fishtail \fishtail\ v. t. (aeronautics) to slow down by moving the tail sideways, of an airplane. [WordNet 1.5]
fishtail \fishtail\ v. i. to have the rear end skid from side to side, out of control: -- said of automobiles or other vehicles. [PJC] {Fish-tail burner}, a gas burner that gives a spreading flame shaped somewhat like the tail of a fish. {Fish-tail propeller} (Steamship), a propeller with a single blade that oscillates like the tail of a fish when swimming. [1913 Webster]