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trawler

/ˈtrɔlər/
IPA guide

Other forms: trawlers

A trawler is a boat that's used for fishing. Trawlers drag large fishing nets behind them.

The special nets used on trawlers are called trawls. Both words come from the Middle Dutch traghelen and its root, the Latin tragula, "dragnet." That's exactly what a trawler (also called a dragger) does—it drags a net behind it. Trawlers are controversial, because although strictly regulated, they can damage seabeds and accidentally catch fish that are endangered or too small.

Definitions of trawler
  1. noun
    a fishing boat that uses a trawl net or dragnet to catch fish
    synonyms: dragger
    see moresee less
    type of:
    fishing boat, fishing smack, fishing vessel
    a vessel for fishing; often has a well to keep the catch alive
  2. noun
    a fisherman who use a trawl net
    see moresee less
    type of:
    fisher, fisherman
    someone whose occupation is catching fish
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