noun
- See under pickerel(def 1).
noun, plural (especially collectively) pick·er·el, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) pick·er·els.
- any of several small species of pike, as Esox niger (chain pickerel) and E. americanus americanus (redfin pickerel), of eastern North America.
- the walleye or pikeperch, Stizostedion vitreum.
- British. a young pike.
noun plural -el or -els
- any of several North American freshwater game fishes, such as Esox americanus and E. niger: family Esocidae (pikes, walleye, etc)
“young pike,” late 13c., diminutive of pike, the fish (see pike (n.3)), with French pejorative suffix -rel; perhaps formed in Anglo-French.