: any of numerous freshwater fishes of the family Catostomidae that are closely related to the carps but are distinguished from them by the structure of the mouth which usually has thick soft lips and of the lower pharyngeal bones, that live and feed near the bottom, that in the case of larger forms ascend small streams and brooks to spawn, that have inferior flesh frequently eaten in regions where they are abundant, and that except for two Asiatic species are confined to North America : sucker
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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