Any of various slender round-bodied fishes constituting the subfamily Dussumieriinae (family Clupeidae); especially Etrumeus teres, which is now known to occur in most warmer seas.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of round herring in US English:
round herring
noun
Any of various slender round-bodied fishes constituting the subfamily Dussumieriinae (family Clupeidae); especially Etrumeus teres, which is now known to occur in most warmer seas.