Croaker \Croak"er\ (-?r), n. 1. One who croaks, murmurs, grumbles, or complains unreasonably; one who habitually forebodes evil. 2. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A small American fish ({Micropogon undulatus}), of the Atlantic coast. (a) An American fresh-water fish ({Aplodinotus grunniens}); -- called also {drum}. (c) The surf fish of California. Note: When caught these fishes make a croaking sound; whence the name, which is often corrupted into crocus.