sperm whale
Definition of sperm whale
noun
- a toothed whale with a massive head, typically feeding at great depths on squid, formerly valued for the spermaceti and sperm oil in its head and the ambergris in its intestines.
- Family Physeteridae: two genera and three species, in particular the very large Physeter macrocephalus (also called cachalot)
Origin:
mid 19th century: sperm, abbreviation of spermaceti