Bar"bel (?), n.[OE. barbel, F. barbeau, dim. of L. barbus barbel, fr. barba beard. See 1st Barb.]
1. Zool.
A slender tactile organ on the lips of certain fishes.
2. Zool.
A large fresh-water fish ( Barbus vulgaris) found in many European rivers. Its upper jaw is furnished with four barbels.
3. pl.
Barbs or paps under the tongued of horses and cattle. See 1st Barb, 3.
© Webster 1913.
[Editor's Note (Gz), 7/2/2002: Corrected an obvious spelling error which appears to have been in the original scan.]