curdog

English

Etymology

From Middle English cur-dogge, kurdogge, curredogge, equivalent to cur +‎ dog.

Noun

curdog (plural curdogs)(archaic)

1. A cur
   1. (derogatory) A contemptible, inferior, or cowardly dog.
      1. (figurative, derogatory) A person with these qualities.
         • 1679, John Fletcher, "The Mad Lover", in Fifty Comedies and Tragedies, page 243/1:

           Coward, go with thy Caitive soul, thou Cur Dog.

   2. A working or sheepdog
      • 1591, Edmund Spenser, "Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubbard's Tale", line 294, in Complaints: Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie:

        Thereto right well this Curdog by my coste
        (Meaning the Foxe) will serve, my sheepe to gather
        And drive to follow after their Belwether.

Anagrams

• codrug