Kip"per (?), n. [D. kippen to hatch, snatch, seize. Cf. Kipe.] 1. (Zoöl.) A salmon after spawning.

2. A salmon split open, salted, and dried or smoked; -- so called because salmon after spawning were usually so cured, not being good when fresh. [Scot.]

Kip"per, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Kippered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Kippering.] To cure, by splitting, salting, and smoking. "Kippered salmon." Dickens.

Kip"per, a. Amorous; also, lively; light-footed; nimble; gay; sprightly. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

• a split, salted and smoked herring
  
• to prepare a herring or similar fish in that fashion