beater
n.— «The primary target for hunters are so-called “beater” harp seals—older pups that have shed their whitecoats and are weaned from their mothers. The seals are called beaters because they’re not yet swimming and if they fall into the water, they beat around frantically with their flippers.» —“Annual seal hunt off Newfoundland and Labrador off to slow start” in St. John’s, Newfoundland Canada.com Apr. 12, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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