land crab

any of several crabs, especially of the family Gecarcinidae, that live chiefly upon land, returning to the sea to breed.

Origin of land crab

First recorded in 1630–40

They also brought off a specimen of a land-crab, which did not seem at all at home on our deck.

The Cruise of the 'Alerte' |E. F. Knight
There were also smaller burrows—not admitting the hand—in one of which I captured a land-crab.

Cruise of the 'Alert' |R. W. Coppinger
They are said to be formed by a species of land-crab, for their residence.

Travels Through North America, v. 1-2 |Berhard Saxe-Weimar Eisenach
I was never able to ascertain the age a land-crab could attain.

Lost in the Jungle |Paul Du Chaillu

He jumped perceptibly when a land-crab rattled an old meat-tin on the stones.

The Exiles of Faloo |Barry Pain

land crab

any of various crabs, esp of the tropical family Gecarcinidae, that are adapted to a partly terrestrial life