watchdog

English

noun
Definitions
  • a guard dog
  • An individual or group that monitors the activities of another entity (such as an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or governmental organization) on behalf of the public to ensure that entity does not behave illegally or unethically.

Etymology

Compound from English watch (sentinel, sentry, guard) + English dog.

Origin

English

dog

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms