Refine this word faster
Dogman
Definitions
- 1 A man who has charge of dogs, such as a dog breeder or dog trainer; specifically, a man who trains dogs for the bloodsport of dogfighting.
"Every one of those dogmen has been either cajoled, bribed, or commanded by his own particular Circe to take the dear household pet out for an airing."
- 2 An assistant to a crane operator, responsible for securing the crane's load and directing the operator. Australia, New-Zealand
"Throughout 1970 there were repeated calls, particularly from Brian Hogan and Owens, for the banning of dogmen riding hooks, a demand firmly resisted by employers unwilling to hire the extra dogmen required. Accordingly, during 1972 the union embarked upon a concerted campaign to enforce the use of two dogmen on each crane."
- 3 Alternative form of dog man (“a man who likes dogs or prefers dogs as pets, often as opposed to liking cats”). alt-of, alternative
"Now another important component of the skeleton is under scrutiny by some of our most respected dogmen and -women: the anatomy of the chest and the relationship between the correct rib cage and loin."
- 4 An alleged cryptid or mythological creature that is part dog and part man; also (religion) a deity who is part dog and part man.
"[T]his tradition certainly influenced that of Dog-Men (cynanthropy) and of dog-headed men (cynocephaly), […] Dog-Men, however, have historically enjoyed a much richer and more varied mythology than their lycanthropic cousins, no doubt as a result of the ambiguity of the dog itself as much as of cultural or historical trends."
- 5 A man who sells dog meat. obsolete, rare
"You think he could barter and cheat / As vulgar diplomates use, / With the people’s heart in his breast? / […] / And filch the dogman’s meat / To feed the offspring of God?"
Etymology
From dog (“the domesticated mammal Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris”) + -man (suffix denoting someone (possibly implied male) who is an expert in an area, who is employed or holds a position in an area, or who takes part in an activity) or man (senses 2 and 3).
From dog (“part of a crane that holds the items to be lifted”) + -man (suffix denoting someone (possibly implied male) who is an expert in an area, who is employed or holds a position in an area, or who takes part in an activity), from the fact that such a person would often ride on the load lifted by the crane when carrying out their duty.
See also for "dogman"
Next best steps
Mini challenge
Unscramble this word: dogman