Plural of gurgeon; small fish used as bait or food, or historically a type of reel or bobbin device.
From Old French 'gourjon,' diminutive of 'gourge' (throat). The term originally referred to small fish, likely named for their throat or gullet appearance, with later mechanical meanings developing from trade terminology.
The word 'gurgeon' is a linguistic survivor—it's so specialized (appearing mainly in fishing and mechanical contexts) that it barely registers in modern English despite having a perfectly clear etymological lineage.
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