-və(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English retriver, from retriven to retrieve + -er
1. : a dog used or trained primarily for retrieving game ; usually : a dog of any of several strains or breeds of vigorous active medium-sized dogs with heavy water-resistant coats developed by crossbreeding and noted for ability to retrieve — see chesapeake bay retriever , curly-coated retriever , golden retriever , labrador retriever
2. : one that retrieves
the most dogged retriever tennis has seen — Time
retriever of foreign orders and degrees — H.G.Wells
3. : trolley retriever