Nicothoe astaci

Lobster Lob"ster, n. [AS. loppestre, lopystre prob., corrupted fr. L. locusta a marine shellfish, a kind of lobster, a locust. Cf. {Locust}.] (Zo["o]l.) 1. Any large macrurous crustacean used as food, esp. those of the genus {Homarus}; as the American lobster ({Homarus Americanus}), and the European lobster ({Homarus vulgaris}). The Norwegian lobster ({Nephrops Norvegicus}) is similar in form. All these have a pair of large unequal claws. The spiny lobsters of more southern waters, belonging to {Palinurus}, {Panulirus}, and allied genera, have no large claws. The fresh-water crayfishes are sometimes called lobsters. [1913 Webster]

2. As a term of opprobrium or contempt: A gullible, awkward, bungling, or undesirable person. [Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Lobster caterpillar} (Zo["o]l.), the caterpillar of a European bombycid moth ({Stauropus fagi}); -- so called from its form.

{Lobster louse} (Zo["o]l.), a copepod crustacean ({Nicotho["e] astaci}) parasitic on the gills of the European lobster. [1913 Webster]