barbel
1 of 2noun (1)
bar·bel ˈbär-bəl 
: a European freshwater cyprinid fish (Barbus barbus) with four barbels on its upper jaw
also : any of various closely related fishes
barbel
2 of 2noun (2)
: a slender tactile process on the lips of certain fishes (such as catfishes)
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *barbellus, diminutive of Latin barbus barbel, from barba beard — more at beard
Noun (2)
obsolete French, from Middle French, diminutive of barbe barb, beard
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1601, in the meaning defined above