DCHP-1 Online

malachigan [Cdn F malachegané < Algonk.] Obs.

• n. the sheepshead, Aplodinotus grunniens. Also spelled male achigan and malichigan.

  See also: achigan  

  • c1804  (1889)  The principal fishes are: sturgeon, cat-fish . . . tullibee, Malachigan. . . .
  • 1793  (1933)  The [Assiniboine] River is stocked with the following fish viz--Sturgeons . . . Millets, Mâe Achigan called by the Men Male Achigan and Nacaishe.
  • 1912  (1913)  Malashaganay. A name of the sheepshead or fresh-water drum (Haplodinotus grunniens). Through Canadian French malashigané or malashigane, from manashigan in the Chippewa-Nipissing dialects of the Algonquian stock, signifying "ugly ashigan." The ashigan is the black bass of Canadians.
  • 1933  The malashegane is mentioned by Tache as having the peculiar power of producing a noise like a distant beating as a drum deep in the water.