Where does “dolphinfish” come from?

dolphinfish (English) comes from English dolphin, from Dutch dukdalf, from French duc, from Middle French duc, from Old French duc, from Latin dux, from Latin dūcō, from Proto-Italic doukō — to pull, to draw; to lead.

dolphinfish (English): A large food and game fish of the Coryphaenidae...

Definitions

  1. A large food and game fish of the Coryphaenidae...

Ancestry of “dolphinfish”, step by step

dolphinfish traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English dolphin

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdolphinA carnivorous aquatic mammal in one of several...
2Dutchdukdalfdolphin, post for mooring boats
3Frenchducduke
4Middle Frenchducduke
5Old Frenchducduke
6Latinduxleader, head; commander, general, captain;...
7Latindūcōto lead, guide, conduct, lead away
8Proto-Italicdoukōlead
9Proto-Indo-Europeandéwketi
10Proto-Indo-Europeandewk-to pull, to draw; to lead

via English Fish

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishFishThe constellation and zodiacal sign Pisces
2Old Englishfiscianto fish
3Proto-West Germanicfiskōnto fish, to catch fish
4Proto-Germanicfiskōnąto fish, to catch fish
5Proto-Germanic-ōnąCreates denominative verbs from nouns; Creates...
6Proto-Indo-European-eh₂yétiCreates iterative/ frequentative/ intensive...
7Proto-Indo-European-yétiCreates intransitive, often deponent,...
8Proto-Indo-Europeanyé-
9Chichewaiyehe, she
Every word from Proto-Indo-European dewk-Every word from Proto-Indo-European déwketiEvery word from Proto-Italic doukō
dolphinfish — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer