Prawn \Prawn\, n. [OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a sea mussel.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antenn[ae]. They mostly belong to the genera {Pandalus}, {Pal[ae]mon}, {Pal[ae]monetes}, and {Peneus}, and are much used as food. The common English prawn is {Pal[ae]mon serratus}. Note: The name is often applied to any large shrimp.