from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hake \Hake\, n. [Also {haak}.] [Akin to Norweg. hakefisk, lit.,
hook fish, Prov. E. hake hook, G. hecht pike. See {Hook}.]
(Zool.)
One of several species of marine gadoid fishes, of the genera
{Phycis}, {Merlucius}, and allies. The common European hake
is {Merlucius vulgaris}; the American silver hake or whiting
is {Merlucius bilinearis}. Two American species ({Phycis
chuss} and {Phycis tenius}) are important food fishes, and
are also valued for their oil and sounds. Called also
{squirrel hake}, and {codling}.
[1913 Webster]