What is "acanthocephalan"

a. (context zoology English) In a manner similar to Acanthocephala. (First attested late 19th c.) n. (context zoology English) Any of parasitic intestinal worms comprising the phylum Acanthocephala. (First attested late 19th c.)Brown, Lesley, ed. ''The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.'' 5th. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.

n. any of various worms living parasitically in intestines of vertebrates having a retractile proboscis covered with many hooked spines [syn: spiny-headed worm]