noun pl. anchovies or anchovy
any of a family (Engraulidae) of very small fishes (order Clupeiformes) with large mouths, found mostly in warm seas: anchovies, esp. the European species (Engraulis encrasicholus), are used as a relish, either canned in oil or made into a salty paste
Origin:
Port anchova < VL *apua < L aphya < Gr aphyē, small fry