crowdad n Also crowdab, crowpappy [Prob folk-etym of crawdad n 1 (or crawdab n, crawpappy n); cf crowfish (at crawfish n A)]
= crawfish n B1.
1870 IL Teacher 16.217 neIL, The Crawfish. . . These are also called crayfishes, fresh-water lobsters, and we have heard boys in this neighborhood call them ‘crow-dads’. 1907 Midwestern 2.4.72 IA, And the minnies and the “crowdads” took my bait,/ ’Least I didn’t catch no fish at any rate. 1923 DN 5.204 swMO, Craw dad. . . Cray fish. Also Craw dab, Craw pappy, Crow dab, Crow dad and Crow pappy. 1981 Recollections 9.65 KY, Minds you uf a turkey-hen gobler fixing to jump on a little crowdad or sompin. 2013 in 2017 DARE File—Internet KY, I live in rural Kentucky, and all in one day: Did barn chores, went to the farmers market, fixed my tractor, painted fences, went hunting for crowdads, and ate a nice fried chicken dinner at my friends house.