Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BASS
I. noun (plural bass or basses)
Etymology: Middle English base, bærs, from Old English bærs; akin to Old High German bersich perch Date: before 12th century any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes),
II. adjective see: base
Date: 15th century
deep or grave in tone,
2. of low pitch, relating to or having the range or part of a bass,
III. noun
Date: 15th century
1. the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorus, the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range, the lowest adult male singing voice, a member of a family of instruments having the lowest range, a deep or grave tone ; a low-pitched sound,
IV. noun
Etymology: alteration of bast
Date: 1691
basswood 1, a coarse tough fiber from palms