(In oyster farming) designating female-phase larviparous oysters whose mantle chamber contains almost fully developed larvae having the appearance of a dark mass.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Sprat (d. 1713), bishop of Rochester.
Definition of black-sick in US English:
black-sick
adjective
historical
(In oyster farming) designating female-phase larviparous oysters whose mantle chamber contains almost fully developed larvae having the appearance of a dark mass.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Sprat (d. 1713), bishop of Rochester.