Loach \Loach\, n. [OE. loche, F. loche.]

(Zo["o]l.) Any one of several small, fresh-water, cyprinoid fishes of the genera Cobitis, Nemachilus, and allied genera, having six or more barbules around the mouth. They are found in Europe and Asia. The common European species (N. barbatulus) is used as a food fish.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)