bacallau

Meaning

1. (masculine) a cod, fish of the family Gadidae
2. (masculine) Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bakaˈɟaw/

Etymology

Cognate with Portuguese: bacalhau

Cognate with Spanish: bacalao

In summary

From Dutch bakkeljauw, of uncertain origin. Possibly from Latin baculum (“stick, staff”), referring to the way cod were split and dried on wooden sticks. Compare Portuguese bacalhau and Spanish bacalao.