Word Study
lurcher
CIDE DICTIONARY
lurcher, n. [See Lurch to lurk.].
- One that lurches or lies in wait; one who watches to pilfer, or to betray or entrap; one who lurks; a lurker; a poacher. [1913 Webster]
- One of a mongrel breed of dogs said to have been a cross between the sheep dog, greyhound, and spaniel. It hunts game silently, by scent, and is often used by poachers. [1913 Webster]
lurcher, n. [L. lurco, lurcho, a glutton. See 1st Lurch.].
A glutton; a gormandizer. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lurcher, n.
1 Brit. a cross-bred dog, usu. a retriever, collie, or sheepdog crossed with a greyhound, used esp. for hunting and by poachers.
2 archaic a petty thief, swindler, or spy.
1 Brit. a cross-bred dog, usu. a retriever, collie, or sheepdog crossed with a greyhound, used esp. for hunting and by poachers.
2 archaic a petty thief, swindler, or spy.
Etymology
f. obs. lurch (v.) var. of LURK
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