any one of numerous species of marine cottoid fishes of the genus cottus, or acanthocottus, having a large head armed with sharp spines, and a broad mouth. they are generally mottled with yellow, brown, and black. several species are found on the atlantic coasts of europe and america.-a large cottoid market fish of california (scorpaenichthys marmoratus); -- called also bighead, cabezon, scorpion, salpa.-the dragonet, or yellow sculpin, of europe (callionymus lura).