spaniel

Meanings

Noun

• Any of various small to medium-sized breeds of gun dog having a broad muzzle, long, wavy fur and long ears that hang at the side of the head, bred for flushing and retrieving game.
• A cringing, fawning person.

Verb

• To follow loyally or obsequiously, like a spaniel.

Origin

• From Middle English spaynol, from Old French espaigneul (modern French épagneul), from Old Occitan espaignol, from Vulgar Latin *Hispāniolus ("Spanish"), from Hispānia.