n. (Zool.) Any small shark of the genus Galeus or Mustelus, of which there are several species, as the smooth houndfish (Galeus canis), of Europe and America; -- called also houndshark, and dogfish. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The European nursehound, or small-spotted dogfish, is Scyllium canicula; the rough houndfish, or large-spotted dogfish, is Scyllium catulus. The name has also sometimes been applied to the bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), and to the silver gar. [ 1913 Webster ]