1. Large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters
   "The sea crawfish, also known as rock lobster, was a popular dish in coastal restaurants";
   - spiny lobster, langouste, crawfish [N. Amer], crayfish, sea crawfish [N. Amer]
    
2. Warm-water lobsters without claws; those from Australia and South Africa usually marketed as frozen tails; caught also in Florida and California
   "The beach restaurant served grilled rock lobster with garlic butter";
   - spiny lobster, langouste, crayfish

Derived forms: rock lobsters

Type of: lobster, shellfish

Part of: genus Palinurus, Palinurus

Encyclopedia: Rock lobster