The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Gowdnook \Gowd"nook"\, n. (Zool.)
   The saury pike; -- called also gofnick.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Saury \Sau"ry\, n.; pl. Sauries. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zool.)
   A slender marine fish (Scomberesox saurus) of Europe and
   America. It has long, thin, beaklike jaws. Called also
   billfish, gowdnook, gawnook, skipper, skipjack,
   skopster, lizard fish, and Egypt herring.
   [1913 Webster]