ˈwater-ˌspaniel
A variety of spaniel, much used for retrieving water-fowl. Also attrib.
| 1566 Earl of Bedford in Calderwood Hist. Kirk (1843) II. 326 One Hickeman..having a water spangell that was verie good. 1570 J. Caius De Canibus Brit. 12 Post hunc subsequitur aquaticus, hoc est a Waterspainel. 1576 Fleming tr. Caius' Dogs (1881) 16 Of the Dogge called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine Aquaticus seu inquisitor. 1588 Kyd Househ. Phil. Wks. (1901) 267 Good seruants..obey them..not as a water-spaniel, but as the hand is sturred to obey the mind. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. iii. i. 271 Shee hath more qualities then a Water-Spaniell, which is much in a bare Christian. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe G 1 b, Which droue Leander..to play the didopper and ducking water spaniel to swim to her. 1676 Dryden Epil. to ‘Man of Mode’ 30 Another's diving Bow he did adore, Which, with a shog, casts all the hair before; Till he with full Decorum brings it back, And rises with a Water Spaniel shake. 1688 Lond. Gaz. No. 2381/4 Lost.., a large Water-Spaniel Dog. 1769 G. White Selborne, To Pennant 2 Jan., If half a dozen gentlemen, furnished with a good strength of water-spaniels, were to beat them [the fens] over for a week, they would certainly find more species. 1821 Scott Pirate xxx, The puir bairn swam out like a water-spaniel. 1845 Youatt Dog iii. 46 The water-spaniel, although a stouter, is a more docile animal than the land one. |
| fig. 1616 J. Lane Contn. Squire's T. x. 107 Beinge but Videriaes water spanieles. |