The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stickleback \Stic"kle*back`\, n. [OE. & Prov E. stickle a prickle, spine, sting (AS. sticel) + back. See Stick, v. t., and cf. Banstickle.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small fishes of the genus Gasterosteus and allied genera. The back is armed with two or more sharp spines. They inhabit both salt and brackish water, and construct curious nests. Called also sticklebag, sharpling, and prickleback.
Wiktionary
n. Any of the fish in the (taxlink Stichaeidae species noshow=1) family.
WordNet
n. small elongate fishes of shallow northern seas; a long dorsal fin consists entirely of spines
small (2-4 inches) pugnacious mostly scaleless spiny-backed fishes of northern fresh and littoral waters having elaborate courtship; subjects of much research [syn: stickleback]
Wikipedia
The pricklebacks (also known as shannies) are a family, Stichaeidae, of fishes in the order Perciformes.
Usage examples of "prickleback".
Rowboats ferried out archers and pikemen, the raised pikes making the boats look like gigantic pricklebacks swimming on the surface.