guard hair

English

Etymology

In reference to its function in protecting the animal from water, sunlight, etc.

Noun

guard hair (countable and uncountable, plural guard hairs)

1. (uncountable) The top layer of fur on an animal, consisting of longer, generally coarser, nearly straight shafts of hair that protrude through the down hair layer.
2. (countable) An individual hair of this layer.